As I looked in my Methodist Hymnal last Sunday I looked for one of my favorites. It’s Christmas and this particular hymn stirs my Christmas spirit. I don’t know why I thought it would be nested among the Christmas carols, but it wasn’t. I found it among those dedicated to “Missions.” The hymn is “Pass It On.”
Click on the link in the post to read about the Chrismon symbols.
It was in admiring the beautiful Chrismon tree in the front of the sanctuary, remembering how much my mother-in-law loved and took childlike delight in creating and contributing ornaments for that very special tree, that I could only think of “Pass It On.” I wondered if hers were still on it. She’s been gone for eleven years. Just like families keep ornaments for years, certainly hers hang from that tree. I must add that Rick and I now attend that same church where she originated a very popular Sunday school class that is the largest in the church, and where her handmade decorations hang. She passed on her gifts in a memorable way.
I know her ornaments must hang from this tree.
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My good friend, Patrice and I had breakfast Wednesday morning. You may recognize her name on my site. Faithfully, she comments on my every post in a way that touches me. Thank you, Patrice. In high school we were casual friends, hung around similar crowds and yes, we were even in a beauty pageant together. Years went by, no, make that decades, and we never connected. Then at our 40th reunion in 2008 we reconnected. There we discovered we only lived ten minutes apart in another state far from where we had graduated from high school! She was a recent grandmother for the first time, so was I. Then her precious grand-twins came along and so did grandson #2. We continued to meet for lunch, play dates with grandchildren, and last Wednesday breakfast. I admire Patrice for her passionate love of family and her friends. Her children are so accomplished. Lawyer. Doctor. And, just last weekend a Doctor in Music! Not only do we meet personally, but connect on Facebook to share family photos. She is a leader in our class of ’68 communicating with every class member she can. It’s rooted in a deep love for her school, the town where we met in Florida, and all her friends.
Patrice and me, having our own Christmas breakfast last Wednesday.
I brought gifts to our planned breakfast together, care packages for our homeless that live on the streets of Houston. Our small town church had made gallon bags of food items to be distributed. Her heart is so big, I knew she would recognize just the person who would need them. She has a heart for perceiving need and giving, always giving. I knew she could and would pass them on.
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A special thing that I very much wanted to pass on was caroling around the piano at Christmas. Those who play from a repertoire of music have a wonderful gift to be able to accompany carolers. Wanting this to become a Christmas tradition, and because I can’t accompany to live singing, I purchased a Wurlitzer player piano years ago and QRS paper rolls galore to go with it. The girls learned to really play and when my brother comes to visit, he also, sits down to play his tunes. Yet, I smile when I hear someone in the household snap a roll into place, push the button, listen to it whir up and out comes the familiar carol they want to hear.
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In writing this post, I have the warmest thoughts and best wishes for all my blogging friends for a wonderful holiday and Happy New Year. Thank you for passing it on — warming my days, weeks, months and past four years in our community. I look forward to the conversation, read your posts, and want to thank you for the inspiration that fills my writing journals and these posts. You pass it on in a host of ways. I invite you to click on the following and sing along with the instrumental. The words are provided.
Georgette Sullins's Blog 
Good morning, Georgette! What an inspirational post!
Your reconnection to your friend, Patrice, is similar to what happened with my friend, Donna. Although we went to school together, we were never really close during those years. That’s certainly changed, now, and I value her friendship. I must say that you and Patrice “favor” to the point that you could be sisters!
Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas, Georgette. I’m glad that we’re blogging buddies and have been fortunate enough to actually meet in person. And I look forward to your posts in the coming year!
Patrice kindly gave me permission to write about our friendship and post the photo. She is the one person I can text, message or call and say “Let’s do lunch.” and she responds immediately with “How about (a date within the week)?” At my milestone surprise birthday party a while back, the family knew to invite her. Thank you for the compliment that we look like sisters. I think she’s quite a pretty lady.
You know your post earlier this week nudged me to write about our Wurlitzer. I have held back, but the Christmas season was the time to write about it when we use the player feature the most.
I’m glad too, our paths crossed, Dianna. We had a nice visit at the Inn in 2014, didn’t we? I’m so glad you enjoyed it too, as I see you have returned since then. Happy Holidays, to everyone at TDoM.
I apologize that I didn’t mention the Wurlitzer in my comments. Player pianos are amazing! Yours is beautiful.
Yes, we’ve been back to the Tavern since our lunch there with you and your family, AND we have another trip planned for the week after Christmas. Such a charming place AND a bonus: nearby antique malls!
Merry Christmas!
🙂 It makes me smile that you have returned to such a lovely and interesting place. I wonder if you have ever taken in the “tour” you and I planned to do but never took advantage of. Apparently, it’s steeped in history. That just means one has to return to take it all in.
I like our “l’il” player piano. It doesn’t pump like the old style. All it needs is a push of the button easy enough for grandson to play. PS He has moved on to the real music of saxophone lessons. (wink)
No, we didn’t attempt a tour last time, because (you may recall from the post) Santa was there! It was quite the madhouse. Perhaps on next week’s trip…? But we’re always anxious to make it to the antique mall…and then we have the fairly long drive back home.
Goodness, a madhouse? Remember how it was quite the opposite when we were there with only us and perhaps another table in the room by the windows? The Hanover Tavern has been added on several times starting from the 1700’s I believe. In the heart of VA, I bet it’s filled with history.
Merry Christmas and wishes for a happy new year! I want to add more, but smiles are what I’ve got (along with a hankering to call my own friend Patrice).
So good to hear from you. I think we share the feeling. 🙂 Happy Holidays to you and your beautiful family. So proud of all of you and your great 2014. Regards to Anthony.
Wonderful post! When I was young I would love Christmas in the church (except for the ungodly long services!) because our church would have a dozen trees around the alter all decked out in lights. It was so beautiful and awe inspiring. Great music too!
Thank you, Kate. I agree with you about long services. I get antsy. Wow! a dozen trees around the sanctuary. That is a memory.
so glad you and patrice connected – so near after so many years! loved the tree and the decorations. thanks for the new word, too!
My mother-in-law taught me about the Chrismon tree. I wondered how that had escaped me when I saw how excited she was over it.
Such a lovely post to remind me of the important things: family and friendship. Hope your Christmas is merry and bright!
Thank you, Elyse. Absolutely! btw My sister and brother-in-law from around you will be with us in TX this year.
Have a blast!
so much in this post to love … traditions, kindness, memories, new/old friends and great music. We used to sing that Hymn at Church camp and I don’t think I’ve heard it since — nice!
And, like Dianna pointed out, you and your good friend could pass for sisters 🙂
Merry Christmas to you ~ MJ
MJ, as I look above the comments where other posts are listed I can’t help but notice “Pass it Along – A Christmas meme.” I happen to remember you nudged me to participate, I hesitated and then I did it – and now it reappears these years later. Thank you, friend for your influence…good influence.
Happy Holidays to all of you. Now, remember to read or watch the Polar Express and ring your dad’s bell at the end. 🙂
I’ve always been mesmerized by the Crismon tree, and hate to admit I’d often be in my own wonderment of it and not hear the sermon.
I love “Pass It On”- we always sang this at our Emmaus gatherings I used to attend.
I’ve found reuniting with friends who knew me way back when have developed into some of the best friendships ever.
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Merry Christmas to you and Dirtman who bring us beautiful images and words throughout the year.
I love the wonderful tree. How special that your mother-in-law has helped decorate it in the past. I love that you reconnected with a former school friend. Something similar happened to me as well. Wishing you and yours a wonderful Christmas!
Lovely song too. Thanks!!
I love that song now and throughout the year. Feliz navidad y un próspero año nuevo, to you in your new home.
I’ve not seen a Chrismon tree in years. I remember helping to make decorations for one in the Methodist church I grew up in. I’m suddenly sure we cut them from sheets of thick styrofoam, and then added decorations. It was such fun!
As was the song. I’ve sung that one more times than I can count, both at church and at Camp Fire Camp. I do believe I remember hearing it at Camp Crysalis, too — a Lutheran Camp outside Kerrville. The good songs, the good traditions, do survive, even if they’re not on the front page of the paper every day.
Of course, as important as passing on specific traditions surely is, it’s even more important to pass on what they represent: love, family, care for strangers, the ability to become and stay a friend. You surely have passed on those qualities and more to your family, and because of it, occasions like Christmas are a time to look forward to rather than dread — as some of my friends do.
Merry Christmas — and best wishes for the New Year!
You just reminded me why that song resonates repeatedly with me. Camp Fire Girls!
When my mother-in-law explained the Chrismons to me, I truly wondered where I had been all those years to not even learn about it until adulthood. If you do look closely at the tree you will find that larger shapes are fashioned of styrofoam and fiberboard, wired ribbon, wire, seed pearls and the like.
Thank you for your faithful reading, the feedback in the comments and always moving the conversation forward. I feel so blessed to have met you. Truly you place the bar high and I never take for granted your kindness in commenting, responding and your wonderful gift of offering a delightful, stimulating or very down to earth post weekly. You are such a special lady.
I wish you a warm Christmas as our temps dip on Christmas Eve and Christmas day. It would be amazing if we have a snowflake repeat of December 24, 2004.
Wow! Thank you so much for including me in your Pass It On blog – my heart is deeply touched by your sweet comments & I can only hope to love up to them.
I sang loud & clear to the song & love how you included it for all of is to enjoy. It has always been one of my favorites & warms my heart & soul each time I hear it, which of course means I sing along with it as well!
You’ve shared some beautiful lifetime memories with a united theme – bringing back memories of my own & things passed on in my life as well. The greatest gift any of us can pass on is in the song, God’s Love. Afterall, it is because of Him we have each other & all that’s been in our lives. After all these years, He reconnected us & allowed us these years to nurture & grow a closer friendship, & for that I am eternally grateful. I learn so much from you & have lived some amazing adventures vicariously through you. Thank you, my friend, for passing so much on to me. Love you!
Thank you dear friend for giving me permission to write and post. It has been in the back of my mind since we went blueberry picking with the kids, but this Christmas seems to be the time.
I know you sang the song out loud. It fits your joyous spirit.
I wish you and ALL of your family a warm week of memories and if you travel, safe travel, precious friend.
Your gathering of ideas – Cristmon tree ornaments, your dear friend Patrice, and the music of Christmas make for a sweet bouquet. My Uncle Clyde had a player piano which I remember “pumping on” years ago as a girl. More fun than a paddle boat!
Merry Christmas to you and yours, Georgette.
haha…our player piano does not pump. We just push a button which is rather advanced from the 1890’s or 1920’s versions. But it does use the classic paper rolls that I love adding to the collection, usually opting for Christmas carols we don’t already have.
Merry Christmas, Marian.
You are truly blessed! Merry Christmas to you and all the best in 2015! Thank you for following my blog and giving encouragement.
I wish you a joyous season. Stay warm by the fire, with warm meals and/or a wonderful glass of merlot. I enjoy your writing and look forward to reading when you post.
I love that you found Patrice, only ten minutes away in a new town for both of you. The matching red color of your sweaters looks like you planned it. Your Wurlitzer is a beauty, and I can only imagine how nice it is to push the button and hear it play the song of your choice. The Chrismon tree and poinsettias are beautiful.
That was a happy coincidence that we wore the same color.
Have a wonderful holiday week with husband, daughter and her family.
Thanks, Georgette. Blessings on your family gatherings.
One of my grandmother’s (who was married to a Methodist minister, my grandfather) favorite saying was “Have a good day and pass it on.” She was always about passing it on. Merry Christmas to you and your family, Georgette. xo
Love your story and will share with Rick this morning over coffee. Have a wonderful week, Jill, and pass it on!
Love that you and Patrice can also get together in real time! Those Christmas tree ornaments remind me of some that used to hang on the Christmas trees @ the little country church I used to attend growing up. Lots of good memories and feelings radiating from this blog post. Have a great Christmas time w/ your family this season Georgette! DM
My mother used to say, “In order to have a friend, you must be a friend.” I’m humbled and flattered she doesn’t miss a post…and, she’s not even a blogger. She is quite a friend to read all these words.
You, too, have a wonderful, warm Christmas with family and friends.
I have been thinking about your post on boundaries. You make me think and will return to comment.
Well, my friend, you certainly did pass on the spirit of love and friendship in this post. What a lovely legacy your mother-in-law has passed on to her church and her family. What a meaningful friendship you and your friend are passing on. And what a delightful sense of Christmas love you’ve passed on to your readers. ♪♫ It only takes a spark…♪♫ May you be blessed this Christmas season as you surely bless us readers.
Like Patrice who visits faithfully, I am grateful for your blogging friendship, your comments, responses to my comments at your site, and always the conversation.
Although, you have already celebrated with your family, I wish you peace, joy, hope, love and safe travel for your precious children and their spouses.
My original purpose for this blog was to pass on to our children, grandchildren, my cousins, nieces and nephews family stories. I want them to know about the Chrismon tree, my high school friend and my reasons for the player piano.
What a beautiful Christmas tree. I enjoyed this post. I felt an underlying bittersweetness in it, thinking about your mother-in-law and the delight she took in making the ornaments but the fact that she’s no longer among us. Ah, the passage of time. Which is why these traditions are so important. Poignant as it is, I love the traditions of the season and through it we honor those no longer with us. Merry Christmas, Georgette!
My original purpose for writing these posts and this one marks 350 published, not counting 50 more in drafts or private, was to share stories with the children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and my cousins. My aunts and uncles and Rick’s are no longer with us. I don’t want them to forget, Monica, as you picked up on, and in some cases read and learn the story according to Georgette. It was my MIL who taught me about the Chrismon tree. When I learned I wondered how it had escaped me growing up. I want family to know about Mom’s/grandma’s high school friend and if it takes a player piano to bring music in the house, so be it. It has taken me four years to even mention the player piano, as some folks judge it as “painting by number,” a bit cheesy and not “real” music. At my stage of life, I don’t mind coming out about it now. 🙂
So glad last week is over for you by now. (smile) No more waiting and I imagine daughter is with you. Yes! Let the holidays begin at MTW.
I love this post so much! It takes me back to my childhood Methodist Church and the poinsettias on the altar, the Chrismons on the tree — many of which we made in Bible School and had hung on the tree during the hanging of the greens ceremony. Merry Christmas Georgette!
Merry Christmas, Renee. Love the “serendipity” of you being here and my being at your site at the same time this morning!
It’s been interesting to see which part of this three-parter readers have reacted to.
Merry Christmas Georgette … to you and your family. Thanks for being a shining example of goodness.
Frank, thank you for such a kind comment. I’m so sorry I have been scarce since the move in June. I shared the solar system perspective link you provided… was it about two years ago?…. with grandson just a couple of weeks ago. I had shared it with him before, but brought it out again from my bookmarks. Happy New Year to you all!
No problem … after all, moving is a bit time consuming! Cheers to your 2015!
Georgette — you have warmed my heart with this post! I am glad to have had this very special peek into some of the things in your life which matter the most to you. Including your treasured friendship with Patrice. That is a fabulous picture! I can see that you both are great friends. Caring friends. Friends who fit the blog title of “pass it on” with ease. I wish you and your family all the best as this New Year begins!
And you warm mine with your response. Another year comes and goes. I feel a deep calling and nudge to take this writing of mine to another level. Yet these passing thoughts of friends and family still need to be captured, collected and placed on my blogging shelf. Thank you, Melissa, for the encourager you are.
“To another level,” — sounds fabulous! Any writing is worthy writing, my friend. I find that when I’m working on a novel, or some form of off-blog writing, and I’m still blogging, my writing is just better all around. I really do feel that WordPress has given me an online writer’s group! Especially for people like me to say to people like you (and vice versa), you can do it! 🙂
WordPress has done so much: provided us with the tools, toys and widgets, and then sent us off “To have fun.” It is fun and quite an opportunity, just ours for the taking and doing. Now, to find the time as I continue teaching, consulting and acting as daughter’s personal assistant to grandson who is the most worthy of my attention right now. 🙂
Feliz y Próspero Año Nuevo, Georgette.
Gracias, Steve. Te deseo lo mismo.
Happy New Year to you and your family.
Thank you, Arindam. Congratulations on your next book. What a way to start out the New Year!
Can’t wait to look for it!
Just wanted to stop by and get reacquainted. Your posts always make me smile. So much joy for life ooze out of them.
Thank you, Susan. It’s so nice to hear the encouragement especially since I’ve been gone since Dec 21. Tomorrow makes a month. Goodness.
My friend, though it’s bit a late Merry Christmas. Wishing you and your family a blessing filled New Year full of love, happiness, peace, success, good health and wonderful memories. Thanks for sharing this post. Love the video song Pass it On. Yes he gave us the greatest gift, his love and we need to pass that gift to others everyday. That is truly what Christmas is all about. The Christmas tree looks almost the same as the Christmas that me and my family had a family picture when we spent our Christmas in Steiner Ranch Austin. It was a beautiful Christmas Day mass and the priest gave a priceless beautiful sermon that made me say, “Wow, that was so good!” That day, God shared his love in words through the priest. Wishing you an amazing blogging year for 2015. Have a great weekend ahead.
It sounds like you had a beautiful, magical Christmas Day filled with the love of God and family surrounding you. It may be a bit late but it’s always good to hear from you. Wishing you a great blogging year too.