Saturday 17 December 2005

Caroling through J-Land

Donna ,of nightmaremom fame ,suggests we do an entry entitled Caroling through J-Land ,with our favourite carol ............So I have chosen ..Away in a manger ,no crib for a bed ,the little Lord Jesus lays down his sweet head .

On December 11th  1961 ,my second baby boy was born .twenty months after the birth of his big brother Mark .Derek was born in a big house ,where at that time one floor was taken over as a Maternity unit .A big house wonderful architecture ,lovely grounds,Oliver Cromwell is reputed to have stayed there ,so although I dont know its age ;that at least puts it to the time of Henry V111.It is called Thorpe Hall and is in Peterborough .Some years ago now it was sold.And is now owned and run by The Sue Ryder foundation,who do wonderful work ,palliative ,respite care  etc for cancer sufferers .

I came home from the maternity home on the late morning of  December 23rd ,and after settling baby and me in at home ,my late husband Mick ,went to a village a few miles away to get Mark who had been staying at my Mums .After introducing Mark to his new baby brother ,we settled them in for the night and as we sat down to eat ,we heard the carol singers at our gate ,being a village everyone new Id come home with our new little one ,We opened the door and was greeted with crys of delight and good wishes for us and our little boys ,Before they sang for us.. Away in a manger . 

All these years later I still wipe away a tear when I hear that carol .And Ive had lots of opportunities to do just that ,I went on to have two lovely Daughters and between them  they have given me nine fantastic Grandchildren ,so I have been to many nativities ,over the years ,where Ive indulged in shedding ,what must amount to a lake of (happy )tears .

       With Love Jan xx 

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

What lovely memories Jan - I can understand why "Away in a Manger" is your favourite Carol...And yes I should imagine with all those tears you may well have filled a lake lol :o)     I like so many Carols but Silent Night is my favourite.. Ally

Anonymous said...

What a lovely story.

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Anonymous said...

What a lovely story.

Once in Royal David's City
Stood a lowly cattle shed
Where a mother laid her baby
In a manager for his bed
Mary was that mother mild
Jesus Christ, her little child.

Carolling to you my friend.

Anonymous said...

I Can't see to type after that story. Have been very teerful over some entries the last few days Oh well its Cristmas. Love Joan.

Anonymous said...

Ahhh, I can see why you like that carol and it is a lovely one! Thanks for your lovely card too. 9 grandchildren......that's a lot of Christmas shopping!
http://journals.aol.co.uk/irisclyde/LaDolceVita

Anonymous said...

With me it is Once in Royal Davids City, as my Mum always sang the first verse solo for our Church Carol service....she had a beautiful voice and it brings back many happy memories, one year she had a bad throat so I sang it in her place...I was only 11 and totally terrified but got through it no problem cos Mum held my hand throughout.

Anonymous said...

Jan....... What a nice story from t e birth of your second son. It fit's the carol just right.

Sunny

Anonymous said...

Happy Holidays!!
Caroling Through J-Land.....
Little Baby, pa rum pum pum pum
I am a poor boy too, pa rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring, pa rum pum pum pum
That's fit to give the King, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum

http://journals.aol.com/nightmaremom/Thisandthatandhockey/

Great entry!! :)

Anonymous said...

Great memory you have there. Helen

Anonymous said...

Very nice memory, I enjoyed reading it.  My favorite carol is "Carol of the Bells"
~~Kath~~
http://journals.aol.com/dklars/SecretGarden

Anonymous said...

Lovely and touching entry m'dear :o)
Away in a manger is my favourite too!
Sara   x

Anonymous said...

What a lovely journal! SO nice to meet you. Very touching story Jan.

Hope to see you soon... Caroling through J-Land singing "O Holly Night"

Kara

Anonymous said...

What a lovely Christmas memory.  My son and I came home from the hospital on Christmas Eve.  As my husband pulled up to the curb the whole neighborhood came out to wish us a Merry Christmas and across the front of our house they had put up a big banner that read "Merry Christmas - It's a BOY"  What a happy time that was.  Happy Holidays, Pennie

Anonymous said...

What a lovely entry :o) Can see why it is your favourite carol...My personal favourite is Oh Little Town of Bethlehem   Caff xxxx

Anonymous said...

What a lovely entry...
I have many favourite Carols, but particularly like 'In The Deep Midwinter'
Aileen...X

Anonymous said...

I love hearing children sing away in a manger........Jules xxxxx
http://journals.aol.co.uk/jules19642001/Itsmylife/

Anonymous said...

Awww,sniff,sniff,thats a lovely story about new baby Derek.My favourite is Once in Royal Davids city,stood a lowly cattle shed. . .where a mother laid her baby. . .. .in a manger for His bed. . .Mary was that Mother mild. . Jesus Christ her little child. . .there,Ive sang it for you Jan.Reminds me of when I was little and went carol singing!!

Anonymous said...

"Do you hear what I hear..."
Merry Christmas!
Linda :)
http://journals.aol.com/fasttrack58/FootprintsintheSand/entries/2380

Anonymous said...

A lovely entry today so many happy memories.Where have all those years gone?
Love Jeanxx

Anonymous said...

Awwwwww what a lovely entry :-)  Thank you for sharing that with us!!