Ghost of Christmas Past....

Seventeen days and counting. Christmas 2019 is just around the corner. It's always a busy time of year, but frankly, since the "kids" are adults and grandkids are so grown up, preparing is a little simpler. No toys to buy, fewer things to wrap.....but one favorite activity continues every year. Decorating the condo with our holiday stuff. The red Santa Claus figures spread throughout add a spot of cheer and the snow ladies I made sparkle. This year they have a place of honor over the fireplace.

And included with the gals is a Christmas card we got years and years ago. It's just a favorite image....so it's framed and added to the mix.

It's a card that my cousin sent and I think we've had it framed for at least ten years. This year it did need a new frame so I found a nice one in a drawer and took the card out of the old frame. As I centered it in the matting, before taping it in place, I noticed a faded image. I never realized, or at least I'd forgotten, that Claudia and her family were "hiding" behind this smiling snowman.

Her kids were still home, none married in this photograph....but there she is, right in the center with her warm Claudia smile hitting my heart. I guess missing family members are missed even more when you celebrate special occasions. But remembering that my cousin and her much-loved family are framed and here in our condo waiting for Christmas adds a little extra specialness to this fun card.

I change the decorations a little each year, so I'm not sure where the snow ladies will land in 2020. But I'm glad they all have center stage this Christmas.