Austin came home today with two ornaments for our tree. He was so excited to find just the right spot to put them. I cherish all these little homemade doodads, because I know it won't be long before they stop bringing home glue snowmen, and pottery ornaments, and laminated Christmas trees .
Our tree marks the passage of time. So many things on our tree remind me of loved ones who have passed on.
My mom gave me angels for our first tree when we moved into our house in 1996. The bulb on the right is from the cache of vintage 1940s, Shiny Brite bulbs that Jerry and Greg found in an attic of a foreclosure in 2009. I really can't look at our tree and not think of my mom and Jerry.
Mrs. S from Chicago sent us this ornament for Austin's first Christmas in 2005. I think of her whenever I hang it.
Ms. Pat, who was a preschool teacher for all my kids, made this angel for Austin in 2009. This was only months before losing her battle to cancer.
There are so many more like this on our tree, and while all of these things have no worldly monetary value, and don't make an especially perfect looking tree, when placed together, they are a treasure to me.
These children, my children's surrogate cousins, are a treasure to me as a well. You really can choose your family.
They are growing up so quickly. Someday I'll take out the faded, ripped, laminated, picture ornaments and wonder how it all went so fast??
I'm so happy you remember my mom at this time of the year. Merry Christmas to all of you.
ReplyDeleteI agree about the cherished ornaments. I have some from friends who are no longer with us. Some from my grandmother. And one of my son when he was in preschool who looks exactly like the one of his son in preschool! The glitter may be falling off, but they're still precious.
ReplyDeleteI love your ornaments! Our tree is filled with all the kid-made ornaments from past years. Plus, we pick up an ornament from every place we travel to on vacation. It brings back memories each year when we put them on the tree.
ReplyDeleteThe days are flying by. My boys now put the tree up, string the lights, decorate the tree, do all the outdoor decorations. I'm going to miss the teenage years.
Even though my sons are now 18 and 25, my tree still has those types of ornaments on it. I love it. This year however, I also added some from my childhood since I lost both parents and saved a few from my childhood. I think these type of trees are so much prettier and special than the perfectly decorated ones!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love that last photo. Great shot.
ReplyDelete