Music, laughter, family make it a Christmas to remember

Karen Nazor Hill
Karen Nazor Hill
photo Karen Nazor Hill

My grandchildren celebrated their best Christmas ever last week.

It wasn't because of the Nintendo, the American Girl doll, supersize Batman or skates and scooters Santa left under the tree. It was because of family.

Though Tilleigh, 11, Evie, 7, and William, 5, enjoyed and appreciated those generous gifts, it was the time they got to spend with their baby cousin, Charleana, who'll celebrate her first birthday this week, that the children loved the most.

Charleana, and my son, Kit, and his wife, Bonnie, spent nine days with us this holiday season. They traveled from California so that Charleana could spend her first Christmas with her Tennessee grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. And, for that, I will always be grateful. The memories - and photographs - made in the last couple of weeks will be something I'll always treasure.

I love to entertain, and my home was filled with family and friends throughout the holiday season.

At the Christmas party we celebrate annually with my late father's side of the family, the matriarch of my family, Aunt Delores, shared stories of what Christmas was like for her growing up in the 1930s and '40s. My daughter, Karah, read a poem that my grandmother always read to Aunt Delores, my dad and the other siblings on Christmas Eve night.

We also sang Christmas songs and hymns - something we hadn't done in years.

My aunt sparked the sing-along when she spontaneously started singing "Silent Night." While everyone else was engaged in conversation, I saw my aunt, sitting on the couch, singing softly. I joined in. A few seconds later, a couple of cousins started singing and, within a minute, the two dozen family members filled my home with song.

It was then that I realized my grandchildren had never heard us do this. They know many of the songs because I sing to them all the time, but they'd never participated in a family sing-along.

When the singing slowly began and the talk turned to music, Evie, who was sitting on Karah's lap, leaned over and whispered, "What's happening?" But, before the song ended, Evie and her siblings were singing, too.

Our shy little William even sang a solo.

It's these moments I'll always treasure the most.

During a party I host annually for friends, we did the same thing. We pulled out the guitars, and the music began. David and Denver Attaway played everything from "Deck the Halls" to "Feliz Navidad" to "Corina Corina," and their vivacious and beautiful sister, Mary, led the singing (and Charleana slept through it all). It was a glorious night.

On Christmas Eve, before Santa began his worldwide journey, he stopped at our home to visit with our family, And, for the occasion, the Nazor cousins dressed as elves and posed for priceless photographs.

I don't know what 2018 will bring, but I'm certainly thankful for 2017. My entire family, including children, stepchildren and grandchildren, celebrated the holiday together in our home. And, for me, it was the best Christmas ever.

Contact Karen Nazor Hill at khill@timesfreepress.com.

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