Napkin rings. How can they possibly have any special meaning at Christmas? Just a year ago, our son and family were celebrating Christmas in Japan. Incredibly, my husband, son, and I did that, too, in 1983…more than three decades ago. When we moved there, I had all of our Christmas decorations put in storage. “We’ll only be there one Christmas,” I said. “It isn’t worth taking them.”
Well, Christmas came and, sure enough, I regretted leaving the decorations behind, so I went shopping. I bought a tiny tree, some tiny ornaments, and some delightful, colorful napkin rings to cheer up the table. They included Santa, a bear, red and green sleighs, and Christmas trees. Of course they made the trip back to the States with us.
For the past three and one-half years, our son was stationed in Japan with his family, at the same navy base in Yokosuka (an hour’s train ride south of Tokyo) where he lived with us as a child. He’s retired from the military now and starting a new business, living with my husband and me while it gets underway. His wife and two daughters are with us, as well, which is a continuing source of joy. My husband and I weren’t in our home for the past few Christmases, so I kind of forgot what all we had until stuff started coming out of storage spots. Down came one slender box off the top shelf of the laundry room and I was delighted at what I saw when I took off the lid. The napkin rings from 1983! I showed the girls, and we shared stories of our times in Japan. Caroline, of course, chose the teddy bear, while Lauren took a sleigh.
These festive napkin rings hold more than napkins – they encircle our memories and shared experiences, binding us together across three generations.