Grumpy the Gator

In Grumpy the Gator, a group of children playing encounter a grumpy alligator. The story teaches children to always keep a safe distance from animals in the wild, and to find an adult if they see an alligator.

Grumpy the Gator

Its Always A Story With The Hendersons

Mama’s Christmas Pins

Mama went to be with the Lord in February of 2013, just days before her 92nd birthday. Daddy had gone to Heaven on Easter Sunday, April 12, 1998.

After Daddy passed, things needed organizing. From paying bills, filling out forms, everyday grocery shopping and more, there were lists to be checked off. Mama, my two sisters(Glenda and Carol) and I organized the house preparing for a life without Daddy.

When Mama passed, she lived in assisted living and the organizing and coordinating task was smaller due to her not having so many things in her room. My sisters and I gathered together in Mama’s room. We cleaned, dusted and held each of Mama’s possessions with love and care.

Every item had a special memory. A birdhouse Mama created during craft time. Framed photographs of family. Books that had been given to her, as she loved to read. Quilts and special blankets made by special friends. So many beautiful items. So many precious memories.

As Glenda and Carol and I chose items to place in our own homes, tears fell from our eyes. Mama had touched these precious things with her own hands. A connection of love from one generation to the next. We could feel the love in the room.

Of the various things I chose to carry home, a small cardboard box containing a few Christmas pins caught my eye. Throughout the years, my husband and I had given Mama homemade Christmas pins. We had gathered the unique creations from various places. A teacher who was talented at making pins was one place where the pins came from. A few were purchased at a local store. Mama wore a couple of the pins. Others stayed in the little box.

Opening the box, the memory of Mama wearing the pins brought joy. A simple act of wearing a Christmas pin to complete her outfit. She always wanted her hair fixed, her nails polished and her clothes fresh and clean.

I have kept that box of Christmas pins and every year, I bring them out and wear one each day. A reindeer, a Christmas tree, an angel. Beautiful reminders of our precious Mama.

Do you wear Christmas pins? There are pins for women and men.

Merry Christmas,

Mimi aka Melissa Henderson

 

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40 Comments
  • michellekaderlywelsh
    Posted at 16:04h, 09 December Reply

    Such a touching story. I think I will go see how many Christmas pins I have in my box from my mom and grandmothers.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 16:09h, 09 December Reply

      Thank you Michelle. I miss my parents. But, I am thankful God gives us special ways to remember our loved ones. Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • Jill Weatherholt
    Posted at 16:26h, 09 December Reply

    What a beautiful story, Melissa. I’m happy you have a lovely reminder of your mother. I have a few Christmas pins that look quite similar to the ones in your photograph. I still enjoy wearing mine.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 16:37h, 09 December Reply

      Christmas pins are very special. I love wearing them. Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • Pam Green
    Posted at 16:31h, 09 December Reply

    Melissa, I have similar memories of my mother’s jewelry, including Christmas pins. Thank you for sharing!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 16:49h, 09 December Reply

      Thank you Pam. Special memories. Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • June Foster
    Posted at 16:36h, 09 December Reply

    Melissa, this story touched my heart. Something as simple as a little Christmas pin would hold so many memories. I have them and have worn them. This year, things seem to be different. Somehow, sticking around the house this year doesn’t bring out the festive feel of other years. But one thing hasn’t changed, the reason for the season is Jesus, our Savior.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 16:51h, 09 December Reply

      Thank you June. Amen. The reason for the season never changes. Jesus, our Savior. I am amazed at how a simple box of Christmas pins is touching the hearts of people. Yet, I have to remember the Lord works in wonderful ways. Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • nancyhvest
    Posted at 16:37h, 09 December Reply

    I have a few Christmas pins that belonged to my mom and grandma. And I have the Jesus is the reason for the season pin myself.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 16:52h, 09 December Reply

      Wonderful! Yes, Yes! Jesus is the reason for the season. Have a blessed day Nancy! 🙂

  • Gail
    Posted at 17:01h, 09 December Reply

    I love this story. I have a collection of Christmas pins mostly from my students. I retired last summer. I think I’ll take out all the pins and try wearing one everyday to remind me of the sweet children I’ve had the pleasure of teaching over the years.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 17:03h, 09 December Reply

      Thank you. What a wonderful idea Gail! Precious memories of teaching and all the sweet children. Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • Yvonne Morgan
    Posted at 17:58h, 09 December Reply

    Oh Melissa, you brought happy tears to my eyes. My daddy bought me a Christmas pin many years ago. It is a beautiful Christmas tree with colored stones. He is gone now too so the pin is extra special. Thank you Jesus for beautiful momentos to enjoy.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 18:11h, 09 December Reply

      How sweet that your Daddy bought you a Christmas pin! What a special gift and special memory! Yes, thank you Jesus for beautiful mementos to enjoy. Amen. Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • Gail Johnson
    Posted at 00:53h, 10 December Reply

    Merry Christmas, Melissa!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 13:28h, 10 December Reply

      Merry Christmas Gail! Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • Vickie@Vickie s Kitchen and Garden
    Posted at 02:38h, 10 December Reply

    I used to have some Christmas pins. I love your tradition. Memories are the best.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 13:29h, 10 December Reply

      Thank you Vickie. I have wonderful memories of my parents. Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • Candice Brown
    Posted at 03:50h, 10 December Reply

    We lost my grandmother just before Christmas 2 years ago. I treasure her precious jewelry, especially a bird necklace I remember her wearing every day. How wonderful to have so many different pins you wear to remember your mama!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 13:30h, 10 December Reply

      How special to have your grandmother’s jewelry! Precious memories. Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • Brenda Covert
    Posted at 04:41h, 10 December Reply

    I have Christmas pins from at least one grandmother, maybe both. My mom gave them to me. I love to wear Christmas pins! I let my daughter borrow some of them. Also earrings. 🙂

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 22:32h, 11 December Reply

      I love Christmas earrings, too! I don’t have any right now, but now I am reminded to look for some. Have a blessed day! Merry Christmas! 🙂

  • Jeanne Takenaka
    Posted at 06:18h, 10 December Reply

    Melissa, this is a beautiful story. My grandmother didn’t wear pins though my mom does sometimes. But, the things I have been given that belonged to my grandmother are very special to me. I hope you have a sweet Christmas!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 13:31h, 10 December Reply

      I love how God uses things that belonged to our relatives to give us precious memories and joy. Merry Christmas Jeanne! Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • Jessica Brodie
    Posted at 13:26h, 10 December Reply

    How sweet and touching! Your Mama sounds like a precious soul. Those pins! So cute!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 13:32h, 10 December Reply

      Thank you Jessica. Mama was a precious soul. I was blessed with a wonderful Mama and Daddy. Have a blessed Christmas! 🙂

  • Diana Derringer
    Posted at 16:07h, 10 December Reply

    What a precious story.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 16:33h, 10 December Reply

      Thank you Diana. Have a blessed week! Merry Christmas! 🙂

  • Janice D. Green
    Posted at 18:11h, 10 December Reply

    What a sweet way to remember your mama at Christmas. Precious!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 18:28h, 10 December Reply

      Thank you Janice. She was a very special lady. Have a blessed week! Merry Christmas! 🙂

  • colarnold
    Posted at 00:47h, 11 December Reply

    What a beautiful way to keep your Mama close to your heart at Christmas. Merry, Blessed Christmas to you and your family.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 00:49h, 11 December Reply

      Thank you. Merry Christmas to you and your family, too! Have a blessed week! 🙂

  • Karen
    Posted at 06:55h, 11 December Reply

    Mimi, I love this! Such a sweet reminder of your Mama. I remember when every lady wore a Christmas pin through the holidays. I don’t have any Christmas pins, but I do have a lovely pin my former sister-in-law gave me one Christmas. She recently passed away, and I’ve been thinking about that gift. Isn’t it wonderful how something so small can bring us joy as we remember its giver? Wishing you a very merry Christmas, sweet friend! xoxo

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 13:23h, 11 December Reply

      Thank you Karen. Yes, I’m glad God gives us special ways to remember people. Have a blessed day! Merry Christmas! 🙂

  • Lynn J Simpson
    Posted at 18:56h, 12 December Reply

    How wonderful! I don’t wear pins, however remember my mother’s and my grandmother’s pins and how I always loved to go through their jewelry boxes to look at them!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 19:00h, 12 December Reply

      How sweet that you could look through their jewelry boxes! Precious memories! Have a blessed day! Merry Christmas! 🙂

  • Lee Ann Mancini
    Posted at 23:06h, 12 December Reply

    What a lovely story, brought tears to my eyes! I only have a few pins of my mothers that I treasure!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 14:53h, 14 December Reply

      Thank you. Precious memories. I am thankful to have Mama’s Christmas pins. Have a blessed day! Merry Christmas! 🙂

  • dscales24
    Posted at 16:06h, 23 December Reply

    Melissa, this post made me cry. I lost my Mama on November 13, 2016. Four years I have been without her, but I handle her keepsakes lovingly, just as you and your sisters handled your mother’s things. God blessed us with good mothers. Is there any greater earthly blessing?

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 23:15h, 25 December Reply

      Thank you for sharing about your Mama. I can feel the love in your words. I am thankful God blessed us with good mothers. Have a blessed day! Merry Christmas! 🙂

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