It's no secret that Moms are the unsung heroes of the holidays. Often behind the camera, moms seek to capture the moments that they know will become essential memories  to their families over the years, while failing to capture themselves as the epicenter that makes all of these fond recollections possible. We may not have always liked posing for her photos, but our mothers made sure these photographs of family traditions exist, even if she was rarely featured in the picture herself. 

When I became a mother myself, I realized just how much work went into making family holidays magical. First of all, planning around every busy schedule nearly takes a degree in event organizing or a magic wand to pull off. Not to mention the pressure of decorating, which seems to need fairy dust to create a festive home environment with a nod to both tradition and style. (Which was a lot of my inspiration for Hello Holidays and the MerryMakers: to become a resource for creating the magical atmosphere through decor.)

In our family, my grandmother, Georgia May Jarrett, created the structure upon which my fondest memories were built, holiday or otherwise. With Mother's Day approaching, I cannot help but reflect on all the ways she brought magic to my childhood. Despite her being gone for many years, Grandmother Georgia's echo of love and laughter reverbrates through every holiday season. She embedded in the women of my family the need for togetherness, which is an enchantment in and of itself. The following excerpt is from my Aunt Joyce Moore's recollection of Christmas at Grandmother's: 

Mother and Holidays:

 Mother always “put up” a tree at Christmastime. That tradition was unbroken all her life, including her last Christmas in 2010. The tree was still up when the family gathered for her 92th birthday on December 30.

That Christmas, as with so many past years, our mother kept up her life-long tradition of celebration. A holiday wreath and poinsettia plants greeted family and friends at her front door. Adding to the Christmas scene, at least a dozen red cardinals fluttered to eat from a bird feeder hanging from a branch of the tree in front of her family room window, while family and friends were welcomed inside by the sweet and excited sound of her voice.

Inside, a warm and cheerful fire burned brightly in her cozy family room. Above on the mantel set a large pewter vase filled with Holly branches. And there in front of the picture window, in all its glory, stood the Christmas Tree! We marveled at the beautiful tree, glowing with colorful lights and adorned with lovely ornaments collected over her long and loving life. We lingered long there by the tree, remembering the old ornaments and memories of past Christmases.

From her kitchen came the lovely aroma of something baking. Maybe it was her monkey bread. In the dining room, the table was set and awaited her beloved guests. Her favorite China placed carefully on holiday linens, surrounding red candles and flowers. A side table held pies, cakes, her famous BonBon-like candy, and Christmas cookies. In past years, mother would have made them all by herself, but this year she had the help of her loving caretakers, and she had happily directed the baking and decorating.

These memories still bring me joy and inspire me to keep up the traditions and celebrations with loved ones.