the perfect scent of pine

this year..... 

i want the "little" back in Christmas....

tiny crystal lights strung together

 like a chain of softly uttered prayers 

offered humbly

over the top of this cluttered world. 

 just a simple white rosary of lights, 

that no one puts away when the holidays are over. 

little.......like the moment 

when all the crowded cost co isles slipped from view, 

as I heard an older couple 

singing a familiar Christmas carol

on a karaoke machine. 

soft and reverent, their paper thin voices rained

over the sound system 

as gently and fragile as an unexpected snow. 

suddenly i was five,

sitting in church between my brother and parents,

as the voices of the elders broke my heart;

 the way you want

your heart to be broken.

i want those long ago  footsteps of my small son 

sneaking down the stairs way too early on Christmas morning, 

when the sheer delight of possibilities  

was enough

to take his breath away. 

and that little note he left for Santa

beside a generous plate of just baked gingerbread cookies. 

Dear Santa, 

Please share the cookies with your reindeer. And could you please find

the missing key to my treasure chest and leave it under our Christmas 

tree so I know you are real?

Love, 

 Adrian

 

i remember

when a worn brass key 

hardly the size of the first snow flakes of winter 

could keep the magic of believing alive. 

i spent most of that night

desperately 

searching 

for the key that would open his treasure chest. 

and as fate would have it......i did!

i left it on the plate 

with a few less gingerbread cookies. 

in the morning it was adrian's first destination. 

he gripped that tiny key in relief and wonder.

 i don't remember how many years past

until i knelt before that old trunk 

grandmother had given to me

 when i was a child....

and so many years later,

i to him. 

 S l o w l y

i placed the familiar key in the old lock

and gave it a careful turn. 

it was a hot summer day and what met me was the faint,  

perfect smell of Christmas. 

stacked to the top... 

silently waiting,

a humble collection of frail little branches 

retrieved from each hallowed pine

of all our holidays together. 

always the last vestige of Christmas

to be taken down and

adrian's most difficult to release.

carefully, 

without notice

he had kept a remnant of each beloved tree.

may the smallest most tender

memories of Christmas 

tie our hearts to both seen and unseen miracles. 

may all the disparate shards of life knit themselves together 

under a pure silent blanket of snow. 

and just for a few white hours, 

before scads of new sleds and brightly bundled kids 

weave their spirited footsteps 

across the soft horizon; 

let our world be transformed.

as my husband and countless others 

clamour for a little more time, 

as our grown son longs for different "little" things 

i hear that couple singing....

have yourself a merry little christmas, 

let your heart be light..........

 i smell the perfect scent of pine and send this simple hope...

that a soft snow will fall forgiving all our short comings 

and deliver us pure white to the waiting new year.   

......that some small forgotten memory 

will fill each heart

with a surge of love and wonder, 

that no one puts away when the holidays are over.

for more joy...

 

Comments

[Fran aka Redondowriter]

Absolutely exquisite, Rebecca, and what a handsome, grown-up son you have now. These pictures and your words are priceless.

[Allegra]

As the Season of Light approaches and the new dawn paints the sky with colors that could only belong there, I send you a wish for good health, contentment and may you walk in the Light always, surrounded by the fragrance that brings the brightest and sweetest memories to life.

[lyle baxter]

What a wonderful story! and what a good looking son all growed up! may you have a healthier New Year . Its been fun meeting and talking with you!

[deb taylor]

I can smell this again and again, over and over. Such a beautiful post. and oh those photos...what I wouldn't give to cut down a tree with my own One Son. You tree is stunning, so beautiful, adorned with so much love. I can look at it forever. and I can also hear that couple singing.....my heart is light. Thank you.

[Donna The Woodwife]

I loved the story of your son and the key!! My boys are grown now too so I miss the magic. I remember my past when I was 12 or so - and I found out there was no Santa - I was devastated. I guess that is why I am always searching for miracles and magic to this very day - and have found it over and over.....Happy Holidays!!

[gayle]

Chili peppers and milagros......love it!
Sending you wishes for a very
Merry Christmas!

[peggy gatto]

Lovely story. I always like hearing about holiday traditions!
Wishing you a
Mary Christmas and the best 2012!!!

[gloria]

Ah sweet memories, just intoxicating, so very well written. Happy Holidays and the best to you in 2012.

[Meri @ Meri's Musings]

Lovely post that tugs at the heart strings. Is it too personal to share at FinallyMe?

[Queenie Believe]

Beautiful, your post is truly a Christmas moment!!! (I'm having a serious Kleenex moment)
Have a very Merry Christmas.
Always, Queenie

[Kim Mailhot]

Oh, what a gift you have shared, Rebecca. A loving dose of Christmas spirit delivered with a story so sweet. I receive it in gratitude and joy.

Thank you love, and wishing you a merry, merry little Christmas now and always !
Love you !

[DebC]

A sweet, sweet story.
Thank you.

[Cathy]

What a lovely tender post!!! You started my day with such beauty! My very best to you and Merry Christmas!!!

[Soul Journeys]

I too love that heady scent of pine, it always says Christmas season to me. lovely post!

[Adriana Esqueda]

Your words clung to my heart as a beautiful memory. I savored every minute of your post.
Have a wonderful Merry Christmas!
Adriana

[Noelle]

Oh rebecca,
I am here at work and somehow, magically was able to find you and this beautiful story of Christmas past and present. I felt my own spirit traveling on a journey through time, visiting all the hopeful and blessed Christmases that you and Adrian have spent together. Keys are symbolic of so many things and treasure chests of evergreen scented memories that hold our heart's hopes and bind us together in love through the generations are priceless. Your story of the elderly couple's frail voices reminds me of Dylan Thomas's "A Child's Christmas in Wales", one of my favorite stories. Merry Christmas to you dear. Thank you for always keeping the magic of believing alive and well here.
Much Love,
Noelle

[gemma]

Just this morning I read "The Little Tree" by ee cummings to classes of 2nd graders.
Thank you for sharing the perfect scent of pine and your lovely memories.

[cynthia eloise]

enjoyed you story. merry christmas.

[Andrea thompson]

Great story, thanks for sharing!

[Elizabeth]

This post kept me spellbound as I scrolled down and through it. So beautiful, Rebecca. Your son is so handsome and his little boy spirit seems eternal. Thank you for sharing this story of Christmas past with us. Thank you. The images will stick with me for a long time.

[Sarah]

What a beautiful story Rebecca! Sometimes things are just perfect aren't they? Happy Christmas to you and your family! xx

[QMM]

Thank you Rebecca for such beautiful words and tender memories they brought to me. Your son, like ours, has grown to have his own life and the memories are more precious. Merry Christmas
QMM

[leslie]

i loved these vignettes of Christmas light and joy and hope... all your bright weaving of tiny lights in and around the season. may your Christmas celebration be blessed with abundant love, and may your new year be filled with light and hope. blessings to you and your family, always.