2020 - Christmas Beauty of the Day #17 - Danish Plates and Commemoration of the Death of Kerry's Father

2020 - Christmas Beauty of the Day #17 - Danish Plates and Commemoration of the Death of Kerry's Father

It was sixteen years ago today that we learned of the death of Kerry's father Orson William Lauritzen. He was truly one of the kindest men I ever knew, and our loss was great.

He made me feel welcome from the first moment I met him. He was a gentleman, and taught his children well. Kerry often talks about how his father taught him to care and be respectful of women - to help them on with their coats, pull their chair out for them, open doors, etc. He taught them - and he also set the example.

And, Kerry still does this for me. When we were dating, many would say it wouldn't last. I knew better, for I knew his father. My sons tried to do the same for the girls they dated, but they were often shrugged off, with an "I can do it myself" following their attempts. Kerry taught them, but couldn't help it if it wasn't received.

Orson's paternal heritage is pure Danish, with the generations hailing from Vesterlund, Denmark. (Lauritz Lauritzen b1816 Denmark d1896 Utah - the immigrant) 

Kerry's family is quite proud of their Danish heritage, but he and each of his siblings are actually only one quarter Danish. But today, we regale in Orson's paternal heritage as we remember the day of his passing.

Years ago we met a man who had been quite a collector, and a curator at a Swedish museum. He had several of the Danish Christmas plates, and gave us a boatload of them. They are clean and proudly displayed in our home.

The earliest one I have happens to be from the year of Orson's birth.

#ChristmasBeautyoftheDay

#LightTheWorld

2020 - Christmas Beauty of the Day #4 - Christmas Plates from Kerry's Mother

Christmas Beauty of the Day #4

Christmas plates from Kerry's mother

For some reason our family had flown to Utah in the weeks/months preceding Christmas in the mid-1990s. I can't remember the occasion, nor of us having enough money to fly six of us anywhere. 

But, we were in Utah.

Kerry's mom was with us when we were packing our belongings when she suddenly asked what kind of Christmas dinnerware we had. We didn't have any dinnerware at all that was specific to Christmas or the holidays.

She said, "Hold on!"

She came back with two very heavy boxes that had come from some store. She was planning on sending them to us for Christmas, but decided there was too much of a risk of damage in shipping. Plus we could begin using them during the days leading up to the holidays.

We opened part of one box, and I was amazed at the beauty of these dishes. They have lasted through dozens and dozens of meals, with none being chipped or broken.

And, wouldn't you know...FB friend Gena privately asked me for my address one day. In the mail comes a platter to match these lovely dishes!

#LightTheWorld

#ChristmasBeautyoftheDay

Christmas beauties of the day -- Christmas plates from Kerry's mom

Christmas beauties of the day.

Christmas plates from Kerry's mom.

In the mid-1990's, we had flown to Utah for some occasion, which escapes me now. Kerry's mom had bought some beautiful Christmas plates for me so that we could always have an elegant table for the holidays.

We carried them carefully onto the plane, for they were heavy and we didn't want them damaged.

This taught me that even with young children, they could be taught to use and appreciate nice things. We used them all through the holidays -- not just on Christmas day. Everything from scrambled eggs to peanut butter sandwiches to prime rib were served on these plates.

And, not a single one has been chipped or broken.