Stories on Our Tree
I like to read the stories on our Christmas tree.
There are over-sized pinecones from a North Carolina roadside, hastily gathered during an accidental route departure (some would say we were “lost”), now “child-enhanced” with cheerful globs of green and gold glitter glue.
Other homemade creations include painted wood ornaments and glass globes, sequin-covered styrofoam balls and assorted paper art. Everyone knows who made which one, and there’s a story behind most. I treasure a wooden star that my Grandma Dugan painted during one of the Christmases she stayed with us before moving to the care center.
A few ornaments date back to my childhood: a worn-looking angel, painted with the abandon of a child who has better things to do; a felt star festooned with sequins that I sewed on, one by one, at the dining room table of my childhood home; a trumpet given by my best friend in fifth grade; a mirrored nativity scene from my Grandma and Grandpa Prior…
Musical notes and instruments are a recurring theme, many of them gifts from my late father (odd term; he was never late for anything and was actually a bit early in leaving us!).
Near the top of the tree, just beneath the Star, is a silly looking penguin whose wings and beak flap with a pull of a string. It joined us during our brief residence in Elida, Ohio and is the coveted find as we decorate each year.
Every year, the kids receive an ornament that reflects a current interest; these now include ballet slippers, a lizard, virtually every sports ball, and an electric guitar (ssh… a new arrival this year). We also make it a practice to find seasonal decorations when we travel. When I look at our tree I see islands such as Hawaii, Bermuda, St John and Virgin Gorda. Canada and Mexico dangle from branches as do a good number of states and cities of the US.
A pair of flip flops and a ballerina cow from Hannah’s trips to Anna Maria Island and Chicago… A gecko and a cable car from Zach’s trips to Palm Springs and San Francisco… Leaping dolphins that Matt helped pick out in Hilton Head…
Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks are new additions, three brightly colored key chains to remind of us this past summer’s adventures (we’ve found key chains make great, inexpensive ornaments when you’re too busy to shop for souvenirs).
It’s a well-covered tree this year, which helps hide the stripe of burned out lights near the bottom. As the kids settle into their homes and traditions, though, the branches will empty. Most of the ornaments will go with them as tangible reminders of their personal histories. Perhaps they’ll share the memories with their own children someday, just as I’ve recounted mine to them. And when they decorate their own trees, they’ll probably travel through a few memories… I hope so.
Because the familiar stories are usually the best…
Lovely story.
These ornaments are very pretty. We would still have ornaments from my childhood if I wouldn’t have broken them all. The ornaments 30 and 35 years ago were so fragile.
Love this post Heather and with the economy the way it is, it’s a great reminder for many of us who frown on recycling.
Merry Christmas to you
A wonderful post, Heather. A Quality Post.
Happy Christmas!
Thanks for the journey through your tree. I can imagine the whole looks glorious with these special memories dotted all over it.
Merry Christmas Heather,
I hope it was great! Thanks for being a friend!
By the way, I love this post. I agree. It’s such a great way to chronicle your life. You get to relive the memories annually when you decorate your tree. I try to buy or acquire at least one new ornament a year. Each one is special in its’ own way.
Donna: Thanks. I found myself standing and staring and remembering. It seemed worth writing about…
Erica: We, also, lack a few ornaments due to a couple of falling, fully decorated trees a few years back. The second time, I needed the support of a friend on the phone as I cleaned up the mess and cataloged the damage!
JollyJo: The older it is, the more “dear” the ornament (but with valued added to any and all kid creations!). To me, the ornaments are almost a “library” of our life events. It’s wonderful to dust them off and display them each year!
Rainfield61: Thank you! ~And blessings to you!
Jean-Luc: Thank you. I hope you enjoyed your holiday time (Boxer’s Day, right?). I returned from Mexico late on the 23rd. The last couple of days have been a splendid joyful rush of activity!
Suzanne: It is a fairly saturated tree! In my twenties, I aimed for “decor”, and it made for a lovely tree. ~But I like our memory-draped version so much more!
Intrepid: This had to be one of our best Christmases. Crazy-busy ~but in all the right ways. And my Mexico trip forced me to “organize” as never before… I impressed my own self!
With all your travels, I bet you have a captivating tree! I’d love to pick out an ornament “Down Under”! Someday… (my oldest boy promised, as a ten-year old, to travel there with me ~and I’m holding him to it!)