Monday, June 9, 2014

The Story About The Little Santa Xmas Ornament :)


Hi All :)

I hope you had a Wonderful Weekend :)

So, back in April when I was sharing with you, My Year in Photos 2013  I mentioned there was a little story behind this cute Dakin Santa Xmas Ornament :)

Well, here is that story :)




Dakin Pompom Santa Xmas Ornament :)


This all happened way back one December in the late 1970's. 

I had impulsively answered an ad. for a position as a Nanny in the back of "The Lady" magazine (basically the British bible for  "Domestic" job postings)

I was interviewed, in England, by an old friend of the family I had applied to work for and obviously, I must have done something right as I was offered the position, only problem was that the job was in Vancouver, Canada and also, one other little point, I had NEVER met the family, oops! Anyway, so I had to start the long process of applying for a work visa and also renewing my passport, .......but I digress. :)

So, there I was a few weeks into this wonderful job and days away from my first Christmas EVER away from home, in a strange land, oh and I forgot to mention I was working for a lovely Jewish family, so we wouldn't be celebrating Christmas. :(

The family were really sweet, 3 little girls, 2, 4 & 5 years old, for me to care for. The Mom could tell I was homesick and had arranged for me to spend Christmas with some of her Christian friends :)

She had had a couple of English Nannies before me so she already had a tiny Xmas tree and little decorations for me to put up in my room :)

One evening, when I had finished working and was upstairs in my room, there was a knock on the door, it seemed weird because the kids would have just walked in. So, I was a little worried maybe I had done something wrong, this was my first gig as a Nanny, but no, all was good :)

I was sitting on the edge of my bed reading and the Mom popped her head around the door and with a big grin on her face she said, "There is someone here to see you". I was confused, the only other people I knew had gone to Disneyland for Christmas, so who could it be???

Then, one by one, the 3 little girls came into my room, each with a big grin on their cute little faces. And one by one they handed me a little hand wrapped gift. :)

As they stood expectantly watching me slowly unwrapping their gifts, the excitement was barely contained by all. I unwrapped 3 adorable little Dakin Pompom Xmas Ornaments. An Angel, A Snowman and The Santa. I was nearly in tears; this was such a thoughtful and beautifully planned Gift of Love. :)

 I still remember that night, it is a vividly cherished memory and every time I hang these lovely little ornaments on our Family Christmas tree each year, I get to remember this wonderful Kindness :) 

I always hang them close together on the tree too! :)

So, I hope you enjoyed the story behind my little Dakin Xmas Ornaments :)

Have a Lovely Week :)

Happy Painting/Creating! :) T.


19 comments:

Annette said...

Oh, T., what a sweet sweet story and special memory to have! It made me a little teary! It also speaks volumes about being kind to people who don't have the same beliefs that you do. A good lesson to learn in this day and age.

Thank you for sharing your truly lovely story! :)

T@PoppyPlacePdx said...

Hi A. :)

I'm so glad you liked my little story :)

These were some of the nicest people and they were going thru a major family challenge at the time but still found time to make me feel as part of the family as they could.

It certainly broadened my view of the world and the people in it :)

I truly appreciate your comment :)

Cheers, T. :)


Jaime Haney said...

Oh what a heart warming story T! It got me a little misty eyed, too. What a wonderful spirit they still had even with different backgrounds. I wonder where the little girls are now? What a great memory to share with us, thank you :)

T@PoppyPlacePdx said...

Hi J,

I have often wondered about the little girls, I did stay in touch for a while but I was back in England and well, life just took us in different directions, I guess, as it so often does.

Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment; Cheers, T. :)

Unknown said...

Darling, that is a wonderful story, and certainly one to cherish. I can just imagine you in this situation and that's why I love you so much. How about a blog of cherished memories? - that would make us all feel good all the time!

T@PoppyPlacePdx said...

Hey Sweetie, You know I'm saving all those cherished memories for the book I'm writing, lol :)

I LOVE you too, thanks for loving me and encouraging me in all my artistic endeavours :)

lyl, T. xxx

Karen said...

What a lovely story! Thank you for sharing it with your readers. I can't imagine being that far away from home and during the holidays. I had a hard time moving to a town only 20 miles from my hometown!

T@PoppyPlacePdx said...

Hi Karen,

I'm so happy you liked the story :)

I have always been an adventurer and would have loved to have done more but life sometimes has a different plan for us.

I am you latest follower :)

Cheers, T. :)

Unknown said...

This is such a heartwarming story! How great you could stay with such sweet people!

Anastasia said...

what a wonderful story!! so great your job as a nanny had such lovely memories...

Melissa said...

What a beautiful little story. Obviously that family had a great love and respect for you to be so sensitive to your needs. I have ornaments my mother gave me from when my sisters and I were children. They mean so much to me. They are pretty old now and getting kind of ratty looking, but I refuse to part with them. I save my kids ornaments too, and someday they will be given to them when they have a tree of their own. I love Christmas ornments!

Charlotte said...

What a great story! I had no idea that was the meaning behind that guy :)

T@PoppyPlacePdx said...

Hi V,

Yep, they were really lovely people and it was a wonderful first experience as a Nanny.

Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by and comment, cheers, T. :)



Hi A,

It makes me so happy so many people liked this story :)

This was a great experience much better than some of the other Nanny jobs I would have later.

Thanks for your comment, cheers, T. :)



T@PoppyPlacePdx said...

Hi M,

We have had a family tradition too with our kids, ever since they were tiny we have purchased Hallmark Ornaments for them or when older they got to choose their own and yes, the collections go with them as they fly the nest :)

Thanks so much for your lovely comment, cheers, T. :)

T@PoppyPlacePdx said...

Hi C,

Well now you know, lol :)

I'm sure I have told you that story before or are all those stories starting to meld into one long blah, blah, blah, lol :)

Love ya, T. xxx

Almost Precious said...

Oh T, after reading that lovely story I can well understand the attachment to something so filled with treasured memories. The wee little Santa is adorable but the memory he contains is priceless. :)

T@PoppyPlacePdx said...

Hi A. :)

WOW!!! Nicely said :)

I love that such a little object can hold such a big part of my life :)

For me writing this down, esp. at this point in my life seems relevant part of not only my history but that of my children's too :)

Hope all is well, cheers, T. :)

Victoria Bennett Beyer said...

I love that story! It is funny how a small act of kindness can stay with you all your life. What a good reminder to make a little extra effort to those who could use some cheer.

T@PoppyPlacePdx said...

Hi V. :)

That is so true :)

It really helped me to not feel so homesick for sure :)

I'm so glad I have that memory & experience :)

It esp. helped with my parenting and encouraging my children to create "small act of kindness" when ever they could :)

Thanks so much for stopping by, it is always wonderful to see you here and hear your sweet words :)

Have a lovely week, cheers, T. :)