Christmas on the Farm

Winter holidays always have a special feel, but each family adds their own personality to their celebrations. For many years, Elizabeth and Fred Boyd lived in the Glendower house. My hubby remembers when Christmas tradition was for all of Elizabeth's and Fred's (Mimi's and Grandaddy's) children and grandchildren to gather at the farmhouse on December 23 for dinner and for the grandparents to watch their grandchildren open their gifts. Back then there were no iPads, new phones, or other fancy electronics. They received useful, practical gifts, like nice new clothing, a leather wallet, watch, etc. I remember coming to my first Christmas as a member of the Boyd family. Grandaddy was already resting in the family cemetery, but all the grand kids gathered around Mimi so she could watch them open the gifts she had chosen for them. In keeping with her practical gifting, she gave me a delightful serving tray that I still use twenty years later.

After Mimi passed, the house sat vacant for several years. During that time, Cousin Carrie used the oak lined drive for a stunningly beautiful wedding, and a group of cousins transformed the vacant office building into a bunkhouse to be used during hunting season, but the family home was empty. During this time, Aunt Nancy and Uncle Fred were gracious enough to host the Boyd Christmas dinner in their lovely home. When my hubby's work moved him closer to home, with the family's blessing, we moved our growing family into the Glendower house. A couple of years after we moved into the old family house, sweet hubby and I decided to offer to bring the tradition back to Glendower.

That first Christmas dinner, the entire family was emotional about returning to this place with so many memories. Everyone arrived with a festive dish to share. We filled our plates, and filled our hearts with new family memories. Toward the end of the night, some people came to me with joyful tears, elaborating on how heartwarming it felt to see life happen in the family home again.

I've lost track of how many years we've hosted the family dinner...somewhere between 5-10...and counting. Through the years, there have been many changes in personality. When Aunt Jeannie joined the family, we could always expect some musical addition to our evening. When Cousin Suzanne came, there were skits performed by the children. Erin and Bedford chose the gathering to announce they were expecting their first baby. This year will look somewhat different, as Uncle Bill is no longer with us. He was a fabulous party planner who brought his fine china and silver, ordered fresh flowers for centerpieces, and made sure every picture was hung straight and every candle lit. He will be greatly missed, but even without the luster of Uncle Bill's finery, we will gather together, give thanks for our many blessings, and spend the evening not talking about politics or work, but simply enjoy being together.

Raising Iberian pigs is the main way we are working to keep this house standing and the property alive today. We hope and pray that our family can spend many years gathering here for holiday celebrations. I can see myself having my grandchildren come visit, run free on the wide open land, help with chores, get dirty, enjoy nature, and return to their roots. While big city life may be where some family members are drawn for day to day conveniences, we all love Christmas at the farm!