A Christmas by Candlelight

This year, my sister-in-law, Missy, surprised us with tickets to see "A Christmas by Candlelight" at Old Sturbridge Village. I laughed at the serendipity as this was something I wanted to do for a while--in fact, we just had a family trip to Old Sturbridge Village during the summer with my cousins Billy, Vincent, Jamie, and Crystal!

Christmas by Candlelight takes us back in time to a festive 1830s New England village, with glowing lanterns, costumed interpreters and storytellers, Christmas music, and delicious treats (from mulled cider and hot cocoa to maple and gingerbread cookies).

When we first arrived, they gave us a map and an itinerary. For example, in the church, they played festive music on a romantic guitar, harp, and flute; in another building, they hosted a magic show; and still, in another building, they offered miniature train displays. Other structures, such as individual residences or the general store, featured themed storytellers who taught us how to make crafts or handed out homemade, tasty treats. (I enjoyed the baked treats the most--I wondered if they would mind if I kept on visiting the same house over and over again to continue getting those yummy gingerbread cookies. My family wouldn't let me find out. In fact, one thing I learned is that when you're sightseeing with a bunch of teenagers, be prepared to walk quickly. This was not a group interested in quiet, peaceful strolling.)

It was a chilly night, but not nearly as cold as when we would take the kiddos to Santa's Village in New Hampshire. Most of us wore hats, scarves, and gloves with handwarmers tucked inside. My son, who feels perpetually warm, just wore a lined jacket. I was amazed at how warm his hands were without any gloves!

Overall, it was a special holiday outing with all of Lewie's cousins — the kind we used to have when they were younger and still believed in Santa. Nowadays, with Sarah in college and Lewie and Brooklynn in high school, it is hard to align everyone's schedules for a short trip. (We are discovering this with Lewie's friends, who now have jobs after school.) Instead of holding our kiddos' hands, making them wait in line to get a picture with Santa, our kiddos were leading the pack, chatting a mile per minute while we struggled to keep up. There was a line for Santa, but they unanimously decided to skip it. Conversations were no longer about Christmas and wondering what Santa might leave under the tree; instead, they were about internet memes, Netflix shows, or previous or current high school teachers. 

At one point, I fell behind the group, purposely wanting to take in this new era. I remember being a teenager, but my teenage years were so different from this generation, which was so different from the generation before, and the generation before that...  Indeed, we were trying to capture Christmas in the 1830s — a time before the internet, TV, phones, or even modern electricity. I just finished studying the history of higher education in the United States and learned that only two colleges existed in Connecticut at the time—Yale and Trinity—both established to expand their Congregational and Episcopal religious denominations, which were rivals. Residents of Old Sturbridge Village would have been Puritan (Congregational), and slavery would have been outlawed in their region by this time; however, in another 30 years, some residents would join the Union Army to fight the bloodiest and deadliest conflict in U.S. History, the Civil War.

My mind eventually returns to our present. The quieter, humbler Christmas of the 1830s has been replaced by one of haste, materialism, and capitalism. Instead of receiving a homemade wooden toy or an orange in a stocking, our children dream of plastic Lego sets or cell phones. Life is less physically taxing for us (few of us labor on farms or cook over stone hearths), but it is still as mentally taxing, perhaps more so, as we are constantly bombarded by advertisements and opinions across social media, the internet, TV, and everyday life. Yes, each generation has its own traditions and its own problems. Living in the 1830s was simpler but no easier with war looming. 

Today, I look back on our family time from a week ago and am so grateful for the unique experience of this generation. Life evolves, but memories exist, no matter the era.

Family Fun at Old Sturbridge Village

At Christmastime last year, I purchased tickets for my family to attend Old Sturbridge Village. (I'm big on buying "experience gifts" rather than "things.") Having been there twice before, I thought the family would enjoy going, and I was right! We all held onto our tickets until the last day of school and chose a Friday in June to go together. It would be Lewie and me, our cousin Vincent and his wife Jamie, and our cousin Billy with his daughter Crystal. Vincent, Lewie, Crystal, and I had been to Old Sturbridge Village before; however, it would be a new experience for Jamie and Billy. Even for Vincent, it felt like a new experience since he hadn't been there in nearly 40 years--back when he was in grade school. 

In short, Old Sturbridge Village is an outdoor history museum that models a rural New England town from the 1830s.  It includes more than 40 historic buildings, such as a mercantile, church, bank, meeting house, water-powered mill, houses, and tradeshops. The museum features costumed docents throughout its 240-acre property, depicting everyday life in the town. Some docents are farmers, riding up and down the streets in their horse-drawn wagons; others are making shoes, smelting iron, sculpting clay pots, or selling goods in the mercantile. (For any "Little House on the Prairie" fans, this is the place to be!) It was a time that was certainly harder — void of modern medicine and today's electronic luxuries — but also a time when family and life's simple pleasures mattered.

Here are some pictures of our fun excursion. P.S. We visited while Old Sturbridge Village was displaying a unique public art event called the CowParade. The CowParade is just that--life-size, fiberclass cow sculptures painted by local artists, which are later auctioned off to support local charities. We had a lot of favorite cows! 

In the 1800s and 1900s, shepherds would walk on stilts to cross marshy or swampy areas to avoid sinking into the ground or getting bitten by venomous snakes. The stilts also gave shepherds a higher position to protect their livestock from harm.

(Now that I am taking college classes again to earn my Doctorate of Education, it took a while for me to finish this post, but I'm so glad I did. A lot has changed since June. I started school, my cousins Vincent and his wife Jamie moved from Connecticut to Delaware, and of course, the kiddos [Lewie and Crystal] have started a new school year. Truly, this trip is a snapshot in time. Now that Vincent and Jamie are living out of state again, I don't know when we'll have a family trip like this going forward...

As they say near the end of Ferris Bueller's Day Off, "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it!"

Change

I'm finally catching my breath after two very busy months. Everything is good, really good, but ever since the end of August, I feel like time sped up three-fold--maybe even quicker!

In mid-August, after completing yet another interview for a higher education position, I finally heard the words I had been waiting for over the past two years: "You're hired."  

"I'm hired?" I repeated, worried I might have heard the lady on the other end of the phone wrong.

"Yes. Sarah and Tamika would like you to begin on August 23rd. Does that work for you?"

August 23rd was less than two weeks away. I would have liked more time to spend with Lewie before he started school again this year. I would have liked more time to tell the Board of Directors at the Land Trust. I would have liked more time to get my life in order, but the words, "Yes, that's perfect," came out of my mouth. I could hardly believe what I was saying... Was I really ready to begin a new job again after working a little over a year at the Land Trust? 

Daddy Lew, Little Lewie, and my mother were all happy for me. They knew I missed higher education and was eager to go back to a position that was familiar. My year at the Land Trust had been interesting, but I felt like a fish out of water for most of it. I learned a lot about conservation, but, at the same time, I never felt like I knew enough to make a difference. Perhaps more knowledge would come in time, but for a full twelve months, I felt inadequate, and it weighed on me. 

On Friday, August 23rd, I started my new position, and on Monday, August 26th, Lewie started his sophomore year of high school. That same week, I started teaching two classes while helping train a new Executive Director at the Land Trust.  Before long, there was Meet the Teachers Night (where I contracted COVID and gave it to my mom).

On Sept. 16th, my husband turned 54 (I still had COVID), and then my birthday, my mom's birthday, and my niece's birthday all occurred from Oct. 3 - 11.  If that wasn't enough, Lewie was given a list of requirements to complete his Confirmation on Oct. 6th. There was a class, a retreat, a paper, an exam, and then preparation for his big day, which included buying him a new suit and shoes and a gift for his sponsor. 

For the following weekend, I had pre-purchased tickets to take my mom on the "Turkey Train" in Lake Winnipesaukee, NH on Saturday, and on Sunday, Lewie had a special Confirmation mass at our home parish. On Oct. 19th - 20th, I was asked to travel out-of-state for work. Yes, that's right. After working in my position for less than two months, I was asked to travel to Virginia to learn about an innovative associate's to bachelor's degree program (called ADVANCE)  between Northern Virginia (NOVA) Community College and George Mason University. It was an AWESOME trip, where I had a chance to visit two college campuses, learn about their unique transfer program, make friends, and explore Merrifield, VA.

Here are some highlights from the past two months of fun, excitement, and pure craziness.

1) Lewie's first day of Grade 10:

Since Lewie's first day, the three of us, Little Lewie, Bruce (our dog), and I, have a regular morning routine. I shower at 5 am, Lewie wakes up for 6, and Bruce comes over from Grammy's side around 6:15. I pack Lewie's lunch, make his breakfast (usually a fruit and yogurt parfait), and give Bruce a sweet potato chew. Lewie eats his breakfast around 6:30 and then brushes his teeth and flies out the door to meet the bus around 6:45. Depending on the weather, Bruce usually flies out the door to greet the bus, too. He stops at our fence and tries to play a game of chase with the cars behind the bus. It's pretty silly.

So far, Lewie has been loving his Sophomore year. I just finished parent-teacher conferences, and his teachers had so many wonderful things to say about him and his class participation. I don't want to jinx his awesome record, but so far, he may receive As in all his classes, including some challenging ones like Algebra II, Chemistry, and AP Computer Science. 

2) Lewie's Confirmation:

A few years back (after COVID), our Archdiocese decided students from all towns should come to the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford (our state capitol) to make their Confirmation. This was an unwelcome change for many, who would rather have the Confirmation performed at their church instead of making a long drive to an unknown cathedral.

Because of this long drive, we were worried about asking a sponsor to support Lewie. Would one of our family members or friends really be interested in giving up most of their Sunday for this event? As it turned out, Lewie's Aunt Missy volunteered to be his sponsor, and all of Lewie's cousins came to the cathedral. It was her birthday, too!  At the end of the ceremony, we had a little party for Lewie at our favorite restaurant, and I made sure to surprise Aunt Missy with a birthday cake. It was the least I could do!

Lewie, me, and Aunty Missy with the Bishop. Lewie chose the Saint name, Nicholas, since Saint Nicholas is the Saint that inspired the story of Santa Claus.

They used lots of incense.

Our restaurant celebration.

The very next weekend, Lewie was invited to come to a special mass at home to honor our new Confirmants. I made him get dressed in his suit again, but shortly after we arrived, we saw that the others were dressed pretty casual. Lewie just gave me an angry glare--mostly to be funny. How was I supposed to know this wasn't a dress-up event? Oh well! At least I was able to get some nice pictures with him at our church--the church where Lewie received all of his sacraments and the church where I received mine, too.

3) Mom's Surprise Birthday Party:

My mom turned 80 last year, and she made me promise that I would NOT have a birthday party for her under any circumstances. We could celebrate her birthday at home with us, but that was it. This year, in January, my mom was forced to retire after working 30+ years in insurance. The company she worked for, CDR, was bought out by a new insurance agency, World Insurance, which no longer supported my mom's part-time work. She was told she could either work full-time again or leave the agency. It was a blow to my mom who liked working from home to make a few extra dollars. It was a further blow because she lost her work family. 

In August, a few of my mom's work friends suggested we get together for her birthday. I knew my mom didn't like surprise parties, but I also knew my mom missed her work friends terribly. This would be a chance for her to see all or most of them again at one time! I made arrangements at a restaurant and concocted a story as to why we were taking her out to eat. She wasn't buying it. "I hope we're not having a party," she said to me.

"Okay...we might be meeting with a few others, but they are the ones that came to me. I didn't arrange it," I answered.  I was upset I had to give away the plan, but in the end, she was SURPRISED. She only thought we were meeting up with two people. She became pretty emotional when she saw a table of ten waiting to greet her. 

It was the perfect party as it felt like a reunion. Most of my mom's work friends from 30, 20, and 10 years ago had left World Insurance, too, so they were all happy to celebrate my mom while getting caught up with each other's lives. The best part was when I had a chance to read her friends' text messages to me. Here is just one among many texts I received from her work friends: "Annette, thank you for having us all. Sharon is priceless; I adore her and am blessed to have her as a second family. She truly is my second mom. She is an amazing friend and confidant and the most honest and trustworthy human being I have ever known. I am blessed to have her in my life. The world is a better place with her in it."

4. The Lake Winnipesaukee Turkey Train:

My mom's birthday gift was a one-day bus trip to climb aboard the Lake Winnipesaukee Train for a delicious turkey dinner while overlooking the lake. I knew there would be a lot of sitting (six hours on the bus altogether) and another 1.5 hours on the train, but I also thought it would be a good trip for my mom who's been having some difficulty with her legs and feet.

The minute I presented her with the gift, she wasn't happy. "That's too much sitting," she argued. "I'm old. I can't do trips like this anymore." For the week leading up to the trip, I had come to the conclusion that I would just go on the trip by myself or maybe beg Lewie to join me. (My husband couldn't go because he needs a full knee replacement surgery.) In the final hours before leaving, my mom decided to go with me after all, and although it was a LONG day, she did have fun. We both had fun, and the turkey dinner was delicious--so was the ice cream at the Kellerhaus, a unique gift shop in Laconia, NH. 

Our first stop was The Common Man Roadside Donut Shop Hookset Rest Area.

We sat by two ladies (around my mom's age) who were larger than life. The two of them travel every week and do ballroom dance competitions with Arthur Murray Dance Studios. The lady next to me had fun memories of her childhood years at Lake Winnipesaukee.  I loved talking with her!

5. A work trip to Virginia:

Last weekend, I went on a work trip to see two college campuses in Virginia and learn about their exciting transfer partnership called ADVANCE.  I was not slated to go as I am an Assistant Director, but nonetheless, my boss couldn't make the trip and asked if I could go in her place. I knew there was a lot going on at home, but at the same time, I felt "important" to be going on this trip, and was really excited to make new work friends. (I felt like I hadn't had a work family since the departure from my last college position in 2022.)

I was surprised by how much I loved both the George Mason University and NOVA (Northern Virginia Community College) campuses. They were lively, beautiful, modern, and thoughtfully designed. For example, Mason had a maker space with 3d printers and sewing machines. I could look down at the operation as there was a glass wall to peer at everything going on from above. Students were hard at work sewing costumes and coding on computers. Mason also had tons of outdoor spaces for students to hang out and eat--Starbucks and Panera being two of the many restaurant choices. 

I wanted to have a picture taken with their "food robot." Little Starship here
(there are a fleet of them)ride around to bring food orders to their student customers.
The robots have sensors, so they are very careful not to get in anyone's way.

The NOVA campus we visited (there are six campuses in all) was home to 14,000 students. There were multiple buildings, aesthetically arranged, which made the community college feel welcoming. Their student center was perfect with an Information Desk, Campus Safety/Student IDs, Business Office, Financial Aid/Financial Stability Office, and Advising/Counseling/Career Counseling all in one location. Seats were arranged in the center of the building (reminding me of an airport), so students could study or work on their computers while waiting to be seen. The Financial Sustainability Office had someone available to help students get resources to SNAP and housing; they also had a food pantry, career closet, etc. to help struggling students, too. (We have them, but their locations are not always easy to find...)

The work visit was fast and furious, but it accomplished what I hoped it would do. I had a chance to learn about the latest trends in transfer partnerships, make new friends, and even get to explore. The Mosaic District of Merrifield is super trendy and happening!  I felt fortunate to have this experience.

In the midst of this fun-filled blur, I also turned a year older. I'm not the big 50 yet, but it's constantly on my mind. I've spent the past two years trying to reinvent myself, and I'm still asking the question, what's next? Will this be the year that I go back to college to pursue an Ed.D.?  I'm not sure, but I think I might be ready to take the leap. Who knows? Maybe I'll be going to college the same time Lewie does. The universe works in mysterious ways...