I spent most of my life running from ghosts of Christmas past, and finally outran them when I had my son. He allowed me to embrace Christmas, and create good family memories and traditions. Surprisingly, I have become quite the Christmas junkie…and am living proof it’s never too late to have a happy childhood. Christmas, for our family, became about family, friends and community.
I spent my Black Friday shopping at the Artists Open Studio, driving through bucolic Tolland, stopping at the studios and homes of amazingly talented neighbors and friends, finding those one-of-a-kind gifts you know won’t get “recycled”. I would always end my sojourn at The Homestead on Tolland Green. Judy would greet me with that wonderful smile that would wrap right around you, and you felt blessed to live in Tolland- and life was good. We would chat and catch up on library happenings and Tolland news while I would add to the pile of local treasures on her counter. I knew I could always find something really cool and special there, but most of all, Judy was there, and she made me feel part of something bigger-community, and the lovely people in it that make you realize how lucky you are. You can’t find that at the mall-or on Black Friday-polite, warm patter, great customer service, and REAL gifts, labors of love by people and organizations in our wonderful hometown. This year, I slowed down as I drove by The Homestead, tearing up, realizing the beautiful woman who helped create a new tradition in my life is no longer there, the store lies dark, door closed. I don’t think I will ever find another Homestead, and I know I will never find another Judy. I miss you my friend, thank you for giving me the best gift you could, your wonderful spirit, and your lovely store. It is a tradition I will tuck into memory and keep in my heart, right next to the space you have there.
