It's time for Christmas Club again! I can't tell you how thrilled I was when I saw how many of you wanted to join in last week. I have loved reading every single one of your stories (and I hope you have too); and I can't wait to see what you come up with this time round.
We're a whole week closer to Christmas now; and, as I type, The Small One is flute playing her way through a medley of Christmas music and it's making me feel in fine form for a story.
But the thing about the old songs, of course, is that they can take you back to the low moments too. And, as "Silent Night" comes down the stairs to me, I'm thinking about the year when I was about the age The Small One is now.
Just after Christmas it was, though the decorations were still draped round the ward; and the mistletoe still held out some hope at the nurses station. I was in hospital. I had an infection in my knee and I was on bed rest, feverish and sore. I had plenty of visitors during the day, lots to keep me distracted. But the evenings were hard. My Mum was at home on her own with my younger brother and sister. She couldn't come. I was on my own at visiting time. So what did I do? I made a scrapbook!
It was my Mum's idea. The scrapbook itself had come for Christmas with Paddington himself (I still have him too). So, my Mum brought me a big pile of old Christmas cards and some glue and each afternoon together we would choose the pictures. Then in the evenings, when I was on my own, I would cut them out and stick them into my scrapbook. Like this:
So Seventies. So, um, free form. But so important I've kept it always. My first scrapbook.
These days, I still like to wait until I'm on my own before I can concentrate on cutting and sticking. But I'm not doing it for the same reason. And I say Happy Christmas! to that.
If you have a memory that makes you want to shout Happy Christmas! think about Christmas Clubbing it and leaving us a link. We'd love to join you..
Linky opens on Sunday
Linky opens on Sunday
Just look at all those Holly Hobby pictures, ah, that takes me back!
ReplyDeleteWho'd have known where that first scrapbook would take you?
Lovely story.
WOW - from little acorns eh!
ReplyDeleteI'm amazed that you still have all this stuff! I guess I've moved too many times ... I may still have things, but have no idea where they are now!
booh for hospitals at christmas but hurrah for scrapbooking. i think i even recognise the pictures on the left side of the first pages.
ReplyDeletei wish i could hear the small one practising, i remember playing my flute at xmas in the school orchestra I STILL HAVE IT BUT MY PLAYING IS VERY RUSTY
jO XXX
i, too, recognize so many of those pictures in your scrapbook. your mom was very clever to suggest such a perfect project to keep you busy on those evenings.
ReplyDeleteYour Mum was a woman filled with great ideas and she knew exactly what would appeal to you!
ReplyDeleteI've posted but will return later to link up :-)
Another awesome story Sian. I have mine all written for this week and ready to post for tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteRinda
I loved your story Sian & what a treat to see your first scrapbook too! I always get tearful when I hear Silent Night...it was my Mums favourite...even when I know it's coming i still get choked!! I'm at work all day tomorrow & then at the cinema after that, so I may not get to play along, but will be checking out all the stories!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful first scrapbook Sian - I used tol ove Holly Hobby :) Your Mum was a clever so and so, I wonder if she realised what she had started.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful story to share and such a treasured piece to have still
ReplyDeleteGreat story, Sian! My first scrap-book was at school. We used old magazines and greetings cards, to make an "ABC" book. My mum still keeps it (!). I made another when I was about 13, to document my summer holidays - the first year I had my own camera. Then another when I had a long holiday touring round Scandinavia the year I left college... and then for the first holiday me and DH took together - a week in Derbyshire. None of these are anything like my current "Scrapbooks"!
ReplyDeleteLove the story, love the scrapbook - your mum was a clever lady; seems you take after her.
What a great thing to still have. i think I remember that picture of the litle girl saying here prayers - looks very familiar
ReplyDeleteSuch a great story Sian, I love how you still have your scrapbook, mine are long gone. I am so enjoying your Christmas club, so many memories come flooding back.
ReplyDeleteOh how fabulous! I wonder what happened to the scrapbooks I used to make as a child...
ReplyDeleteEvery time I read a story about your mom I love her even more, Sian. She was such a creative spirit, and how wonderful that she set you in motion with scrapbooking. The little scrapbook you made and kept is adorable, and what a wonderful remembrance of how you got through a difficult time.
ReplyDeleteI truly enjoyed reading your story and seeing your first scrapbook! What a lovely reminder of your "start" in scrapping! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteA real memory to treasure. And as to having the scrapbook still.....can I introduce you to my in laws (they have just moved, they hoarded 40 odd years of stuff, we went to dump). Only jesting, it's lovely to have it still. I've added my second memory.
ReplyDeletewhat a great story! thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteYou have a great gift for telling stories, seeing your scrapbook has taken me back to my first scrapbooks on those sugar paper books.
ReplyDeleteYour mother was very inventive as I imagine this could have been a much more traumatic experience without the scrapbook. What a wonderful way to begin a life-long pleasure, and how nice that you still have it!
ReplyDeleteThat is such a lovely story I wish I had kept my first scrapbook I made it when I was 7 and it contained victorian scraps,it is funny how life pans out. Thannks for sharing x
ReplyDeleteBeautiful story Sian! Love the photo of the Santas...
ReplyDeleteThat's so neat! And I think I spot some Holly Hobbie! <3 TFS your scrapbook & story.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely story - I can just imagine you sitting in your hospital bed with your scrapbook and glue - I loved Holly Hobbie too! What a wonderful Mum you have - she must have been so worried about you too. It's lovely that you kept the scrapbook all this time :)
ReplyDeleteLove your scrapbook...I made so many similar ones when I was little, but none have survived!
ReplyDeleteI love your story Sian and what a great idea your Mum came up with. What a treasure that scrapbook is.
ReplyDeleteOh Sian, I LOVE this! My favourite scrapbook is a total mess aesthetically, but it is so full of special memories...it makes me happy every time I flick through it. Thank you so much for sharing this with us!
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