Sunday 4 December 2011

Storytelling Sunday: Memories Managed

It's the first Sunday of the last month of the year. Know what that means? Course you do! We've been telling stories here every first Sunday all year - think what we have achieved! In the past eleven months you have posted 252 tales (with another 11 from me). That's amazing, isn't it? We've gone from 7 in January to 37 in November. We could manage 300 memories before the year is out!

We've laughed, we've cried, we've connected. And that's a very good feeling. I've met some lovely new bloggers, I've learned a thing or three; and I hope you have too. I thought maybe you'd all be ready to let go and try something new next year. But it seems not. Let's tweak it a little, though, keep things fresh. Let's see who else we can persuade to join us.

But enough of moving on for now. Look at me - half way through a post and no hint of a story yet. Let's fix that. I have a short, simple Christmas one for you today. It could be sad, if I let it. But I'm determined it won't be.

It's about two little girls, and their even littler brother. The same three who appeared in the first page of my Christmas album this year. Here they are:


Now, these three were lucky enough to have a Father and a Mother who believed very strongly in the power of Christmas. And never was that belief tested more sorely than in that last Christmas they were all together. For the grownups knew that one of them had only a few months left to live.

But Christmas was still Christmas, and there was magic to be made, and they knew how to do that.

It started, really, with a letter from Father Christmas. Every year those three wrote their letters and put them under the tree and waited for them to disappear. Every year they knew that the letters had been read and filed away by the man in the red suit, for they always got exactly what they had asked for. But only this year, only the once, did Santa have the time to reply. And this is what he wrote:






What a thrill it was! It was passed round and round, even taken into school I think, envied by friends and enjoyed by adults. And when, finally, it had been read and reread, and held up to the light to check it was genuine, it was tucked safely away by the biggest of the three. She already believed in the power of Christmas; but maybe, just maybe, that's when she started to believe in the power of scrapbooking too.


And that's why she'd like to thank each and every one of you for joining Storytelling Sunday this year. Every time you wrote something down, posted it on your blog, you left it right there to be found when it was needed. You should be proud. You should all be very proud. Tell your story - because one day someone will come looking for it. And you want it to be there. Don't you?

So, for the last time this year, leave your link below. Write your story, with a sentence explaining what Storytelling Sunday is all about, then come back here and link us up. One rule this time round - you must wish the two linkers above you (more if you have time!) a Very Merry Christmas. Leave them a comment. Spread a bit of good cheer. Happy Christmas.

40 comments:

Amy said...

Oh, it is such a worry when even Santa can't find good help! I won't read this letter out to my two little ones, they are in the midst of drafting their letters, yes, drafting ... goodness, Santa will have to be on his toes!

Sian, you know how I feel about the stories - they are our lives and every ones of them is important and precious!

Thank you for such a great year of wonderful tales, Merry Christmas to you and all the residents High in the Sky.

Amy said...

Oh Sian, this story had me in tears and laughter. You really have a way with words. I'm so glad you have the memory (and the letter!) to treasure. I never really think about my writing lasting that long, I suppose one day my children could be reading my stories (and thinking what a batty old mum they have :p). Thanks for the past few months, I hope 2012 brings with it more storytelling. Amy xXx

Jimjams said...

Thank you Siân for another brilliant piece of your family heritage - warm, funny and beautifully illustrated.
Thank you too for being the go-to place for the interesting tales from so many others - it's been wonderful read snippets from the histories of so many international bloggers during the year. It was easy in January to visit them all - November somewhat harder, but I'll try very hard during December.

Merry Christmas to all at High In The Sky ♥

Lisa said...

I believe.

(oh and a very merriest of Christmases to you!)

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

Sian ~ Thanks so much for encouraging us to document our stories. We have all been touched by these stories in some way. It's been a pleasure and a privilege to participate this past year. I wish you (and all of us) many successes in 2012!

I love your idea to spread some comment love too!

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

PS: I didn't even mention how amazing and priceless that letter is, Sian! A true keepsake, for sure. xo

Susan said...

That letter is such a treasure, as is your story. Thank you for sharing it.

Melissa said...

What a wonderful letter Sian - thanks so much for sharing it with us! And thanks for encouraging us all year to tell our stories!

A Very Merry Christmas to you!!!

Maria Ontiveros said...

What a wonderful story today Sian. So poignant and well told.
I like how so many of us are ending the year where we began - with Christmas stories. I have loved every week of Christmas Club and every month of Story Telling Sunday. Looking forward to what you have in store for us next year.
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Rinda

Beverly said...

Those three children were so very lucky to have such wonderful bleievers of Christmas for parents. Thank you for Storytelling Sundays in 2011. I have enjoyed so many by you and others. I look forward to seeing what you have in store for 2012...maybe I'll even get organized enough to join in. Merry Christmas, Sian!

Susanne said...

Thanks for reminding us why it is so important to tell the stories. Merry Christmas!

Alison said...

Sian thank you for sharing YOUR stories- and for encouraging us to do the same. I have been inspired and touched,laughed and cried whilst reading your own and those told by others. I too am grateful for so many happy memories, especially with the approach of Christmas.
Merry Christmas to you and yours
Alison xx

scrappyjacky said...

What a wonderful story to end the year,Sian.

Alana said...

The screen is a bit of a blur mow Sian but it is food to remember those that can't be with us at this time of year. I am going to light a candle inory of my nan today in the cathedral so I can't oat a story now but I will be back later oxo.

Alana said...

So much for being sad.... My fat finger spelling mistakes just made me laugh.

Gem's Crafts said...

What a gorgeous story Sian, and how lovely that you kept that letter all this time. I'm sorry my story isn't Christmas related this month, but then I told a Christmas Story back in May, so I've always been a bit upside down with it! Really looking forward to seeing what you intend to do with Storytelling Sunday in 2012, I would love to continue, it's ingrained into my brain now, I always instinctively remember when it's the first Sunday of the month!

Kirsty.A said...

Thank you again, for making me think. Happy Christmas

Irene said...

Such a moving story and the Christmas letter from Santa reflects just where you get your incredible storytelling from. A lovely letter to have as a keepsake.
Thank you for these special Sundays. Though a latecomer, I am enjoying them immensely.
Have a wonderful holiday season.

Carmen said...

I think I'll be joining you next year - though I always feel I don't have that many stories. The latter end of this year has driven home a bit to firmly the need for the telling f these stories.

Love to you Sian x x x

Carmen said...

P.s Santa reminds me so much of the Enid Blyton tales I still love with this letter - even his illustrating is so cool. What a beautiful thing to have.

Anonymous said...

What a fantastic thing to have to remind you of your childhood. I've loved reading all the stories over the last few months (though I've not been brave enough to join in) - so thank you for organising a lovely little corner of blogland

Becky said...

Another wonderful story - thank you for sharing it and thank you for organising Storytelling Sunday in 2011 - I have enjoyed taking part and reading everyone else's stories so much over the past year.

Becky said...

Oh, meant to say, 'Merry Christmas' to you and your family :)

Anonymous said...

What a lovely story to end the year of storytelling with Sian. That letter is a real treasure, so great that you kept it even then. :)
Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Abi said...

A Beautiful story and storytelling sunday was such a beautiful idea. Thank you. xxx

Barbara Eads said...

What a treasure to have that letter! We wrote to "santa" too, but he never answered---but he did manage to bring us a thing or two off our lists.
Thanks for the memories.

Even though I'm fairly new to your "Storytelling Sunday", I am enjoying it immensely. In fact, I check your blog daily!

I hope you have the BEST of holidays.
Your friend, from Nashville, TN
Barbara

Cheri said...

What a wonderful letter Santa left you! And even more wonderful that you still have it and are able to document this story! So was a space suit under the tree?

I've really enjoyed participating in Storytelling Sunday and taking the opportunity to document some of my own stories - and to read so many other wonderful memories. Thanks for doing this! And Merry Christmas!

Jo said...

A beautiful story and such a funny letter, it really made me laugh.

For once, I have a story of my own this month! Story telling Sunday is such a great idea :)

furrypig said...

what a wonderful piece of memorabilia congrats on saving it and on sharing such a special story.

Thanks for all the story telling throughout 2011, I look forward to more in 2012, have a wonderful Christmas xxx

Lou said...

Oh Sian, the last story of the year - how I have enjoyed reading them x

Mel said...

What a funny and sweet story. I have looked forward to storytelling Sunday and wished I had found it earlier in the year!
Merry Christmas!

Ginger said...

A year has gone by so quickly! I have enjoyed reading your stories Sian and it has been a great joy to read the others as well. Thank you for Storytelling Sunday!

(P.S.) - I`m really hoping to get one posted this week!

Linda said...

Sian, I'm one of your new recruits! I'd love to join in whatever you decide to do next year. I'll keep checking back to have a look. PS love the santa letter story:)

scrappysue said...

Oh such a wonderful letter and a great story as always Sian. I have really enjoyed reading stories dotted throughout the year; like Linda, I hope to join in next year.

Hey Birdie Designs said...

Thank you for your post!

Can we have a pic of your little trees please?

Would love something like that of my own....

Lizzie said...

A sad and happy story - both at the same time. What a very wonderful memory for you all to treasure - how thoughtful of those Grown-ups, to make certain you would have that special letter to keep and remind you that, even if all was not always "right" in the world, some special things did happen.
It made me cry to read it, knowing the background story too. I was lucky to have both parents while I was young enough to believe in Santa Claus. My dad died when my own DS was small - just after he turned 3 in fact.
Christmas is different for adults - it's wonderful to have the small people around, to keep the magic alive. Otherwise, it can be too tempting to lose sight of that magic and specialness, in thinking of those who are no longer with us to share it.
So, thanks for this great story, Sian!
Also, thank you so much for 12 months of Storytelling Sunday. It has been fabulous. I am so glad you are thinking of keeping it going, in some form or other. I haven't contributed a story every time, but I do enjoy reading everyone's contributions, whenever I can, and trying to come up with my own.
This month's is not a Christmas story - I have only just started to look toward, Christmas - I was so busy with book orders and organising the Bloggers' Weekend, that I forgot about Christmas! But I hope it will do anyway...
Merry Christmas, Sian, to you and All at High in the Sky!

Fiona@staring at the sea said...

Such a touching and ultimately heart warming story. Thankyou so much for sharing your stories with us this year and allowing me to share a couple of mine. I'm glad I got up the courage to do it. I do have one for this month, but felt the need to get something else off my chest first!

Denise said...

Sian, your storytelling Sundays have been a real tonic.I haven't always had a tale to tell but have enjoyed reading them all.Long may they continue x

Jane said...

although arriving late to this I've enjoyed taking part and reading all the wonderful stories. I hope you and your family have a lovely Christmas xx

Missus Wookie said...

Thanks for the story - mixed feelings are common at holidays Christmas especially so. I too try hard to concentrate on the positive.

I've so enjoyed the stories, am planning on doing a wander in a couple of sessions this week.

Looking forward to picking up my new 365 mag later this week too :) WH Smiths had to go hunting for it...

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