It is so long now since MasterM and MissM were at school and I don't feel sad at all about that apart from at Christmas when there is an empty space where the school Advent carol service used to be. The memory is woven through with the shock of frosty air after an hour in the cathedral, a smell of hot candle wax and the smoky taste of cloves in mulled wine. Every seat in the cathedral was taken by a huge congregation of pupils, staff and families, but there was a sense of community and perhaps that is what I miss most. I think I need to find a new tradition for our grown-up family Christmas.
I shall be hanging on every word, as my time draweth near. (That's a gorgeous arcade, and a spectacularly coordinating red jacket.)
ReplyDeleteI don't think community carol singing is going to go down well but I am wondering about swimming on Boxing Day. What do you reckon?
DeleteIt is a little sad when children grow up and so many of the precious Christmas traditions disappear (at least until grandchildren hopefully come along.) Of course, new traditions can be created. But Christmas is such a lovely time for children, its hard to think of ways to bring that joyful youthful energy into a grown-up family.
ReplyDeleteMasterM has just emailed me to ask for a tub of Haribo "now that I am grown-up". So I don't think we have left sugar related tantrums behind yet.
DeleteOur village church holds a candlelit crib-side service on Christmas Eve. It's always packed with all ages, from babies to oaps, and everyone sings the carols with gusto. I'm not a church-goer but I love the tradition of this and I invariably have something in my eye during the last carol.
ReplyDeleteMasterM was born in December and I can remember weeping pitifully when we sang Away in a Manger that year.
ReplyDeleteOh Alice, my youngest child left that same school this year and the Carol Service was the thing I knew I would miss. I was wondering how to fill the gap and was overjoyed to receive an invitation to it as a 'thank you' for helping with something. It was as lovely as ever and the perfect way to begin Christmas.
ReplyDeleteI am so envious! In fact, unbeknownst to me, MissM decided to go to the service so she would have been there at the same time as you. She had a lovely time meeting up with old friends and former teachers but said that it felt very odd to be drinking mulled wine in the Chapter House with the grown-ups!
DeleteGood luck to you and yours as you move onto the next stage.