For me, I like to think of Santa and his helpers working to bring love and comfort to so many. Basically we are all Santa's at Christmastime. In many ways whatever we do for another with God's direction and faithfulness reflects a bit of how Santa has worked for so many years. Oh yes, it has changed through the years to a commercialized time starting earlier each year, but I still hold on to the way it was and remember~~~
As far back as I can remember my father and I would take a trip to visit Santa Claus just before the 25th of December. We would ride on a bob sled through a wintry tunnel as if we were at the north pole. This was constructed in a popular department store in our town called Murheads, which was a clothing department shoppe. It was a special time when wonder and wide eyed imagination drew us to the man dressed in red. I remember he looked so kind with his glasses and long beard. His voice raised loud as he gave out a big HO HO HO! I was fascinated to say the least. You can see from the pic how my dad played along and was so enjoying watching me with my eyes big like two saucers.
When my father passed away, I found this picture in his wallet. He carried it for 40 years. I never knew he carried it with him always. He was a very special man.
Through the years I have collected Santa's in an old world style, traditional, shabby, and yes, painted many a Santa Claus too. My collecting is basically complete as I have no room left for any more Roly Poly guys to sleep in the attic from Christmas to Christmas ~ year to year. Well, maybe a few more~~~~~I can make room!
For about one month every year, these guys wake from their slumber in the attic to visit and bring Christmas cheer and help us greet the new year. They are always ready to give thanks as we remember the reason for the season.
Starting with a couple painted guys, they all wish you a very Merry Christmas~~
Merry Christmas!
21 comments:
LOVE your beautiful collection!
I have been MIA....I had to have an emergency appendectomy a week ago so now I am home bound for 3 weeks! Ughhh!!! What is it about this time of year that makes people get sick!
Happy Holidays!
Love,
LuLu~*xoxo
Nice post! thanks for sharing...blessings soraya
Celestina,
I love all of your Santa's. I especially love the picture of you and your Daddy. To know that he carried it in his wallet for 40 years makes it even more special. I know that you will treasure it always.
Merry Christmas!
Hugs,
Lee Laurie
Also, thank you for the sweet comments. They touched my heart.
Lee Laurie
Love all your Santas, thanks for sharing!
Hi Celeste... I love all of your Santas... I could never pick a favorite, I love them all... but my favorite part of this post is the photo of you and your daddy with Santa... and how tender and sweet that he carried it with him always... as you and I said on the phone, our precious memories and our loved ones now in Heaven will be close by in our hearts forever... much love to you, xoxo Julie Marie
That picture is so sweet and such a treasure! :-) Love all your Santa's too, brings forth the magic of the holidays. Have a wonderful week.
Blessings,
Jill
WoW Celeste, what a gorgeous collection you have :)
I want to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year :)
Blessings,
Mari
i LOVE THAT PICTURE OF YOU AND YOUR DAD! WE WERE JUST LOOKING AT OUR PICTURES AND CLARENCE AND HIS DAD HAVE AN EXACT ONE LIKE YOURS FROM MUIRHEADS. I GUESS THAT WAS "THE" STORE IN DEARBORN BACK THEN!
WE LOVE SANTAS TOO, BUT NOT ALL ARE VISITING THIS YEAR...NO ROOM...
You have some wonderful Santas! I love them too...there is always room for one more!
Oh WOW, Celeste, I love that story about your dad...It is SO special...My dad carried a picture of me in his wallet of us together when I was 3...I even remember the day--he took me on my first carousel.
I adore your Santas...You are so super-talented, my friend!
If you get a minute, hop over to my blog~I want to show you something.
Merry Christmas!
Love,
Cindy
Celestina Marie, Your Santa collection is just beautiful. Best of all is your wonderful story about your dad. I love the photo. My parents always made Christmas magical too. Thanks for sharing. Linda
Hello Celestina
Susan from New Zealand here.
I popped over via Cindy's Blog, and Wow what a lovely post and your Santa's are so special, I collect little ones, but they are not as nice as yours, I think I will become a follower as I think you will inspire me heaps.
Smiles:)
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Hi Celestina,
I'm visiting from Whimsical Musings after seeing the post and the beautiful dress.
This post about your Dad is precious, have to stop to regroup now, TY for sharing. Merry Christmas!
Gloria
Hi Celeste, I am meeting you through your friend Cindy, she told me a little about you so I decided to pay you a visit and say hello. I am so touched by the photo and your story about your dad. I have my dad's photos out of his wallet too, one of his two girls and a grandson. I love you beautiful santa collection and I have a few. It is so sweet to pull treasures out every Christmas and the memories come flooding out with them. Lots of smiles and tears. Great post.
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
~Emily
The French Hutch
Hi Celeste!
My computer has been in the hospital since after Thanksgiving... what a time of year to be without it! But it's all better now, practically new since Russell rebuilt it. Thank goodness for his occupation!
Your photo is absolutely adorable! how sweet to know he carried it with him. I have a little photo of me as a toddler that my dad carried in his wallet the I hold very dear. I love him so.
Your Santas are fabulous, I really love the old woodsy type ones you have in your collection. They have such a soft sweetness.
I hope you and Larry have a blessed Merry Christmas and that all you dreams for the New Year come true! Love you, Sherry
They're all so pretty, Celestina, I can't choose a favorite. I really like the painted ones and the chef.
What a beautiful memory of your dad. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Wishing you and your loved ones a very blessed Christmas and New Year.
Hello Celeste,
Your Santas are delightful! I'm your newest follower - I found you through Cindy Adkins' blog. The story about your father literally brought tears to my eyes. Such a sweet story, which made me think of my own dear father, whom I miss so much!
Hugs, Cindy
Hi Celestina Marie,
You have shared such a beautiful post and love the sweet photo of you visiting Santa. What happy memories and you look so beautiful there with your Dad.
Also love your wonderful Santa collection.
I did make the dough wreath and love making things from flour, water and salt.
Have a wonderful weekend, dear friend and it is always a delight to come and visit you and thanks for your lovely visits.
hugs
Carolyn
Love your Santas. I remember crying when my parents took me to see him, perhaps I was a little afraid of him.
Christmas hug...Lu
Oh what a sweet photograph of your dad and you with Santa! And how special he carried that picture in his wallet for such a long time. That is so heartfelt special and it's obvious Santa brought some magical connection between you and your father. How touching!!!
Hugs and blessings,
Ingeborg
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