Some people think that putting away Holiday decorations is a depressing activity. My task is to take the ornaments off the tree. I find that removing an ornament I can feel it and remember where and why it was purchased. This is a relaxing activity for me.
I fondle a group of tin toys. A sled, a scooter and a wagon, they remind me of the toys of my youth and toys we gave to our daughter. I recall that all the tin toys are bright red to go with the season.
Then my fingers find a ceramic bird in flight. This was given to me on my first married Christmas.
Another favorite ornament is a dove with two strings of pearls in it’s beak. This came from my co-worker before I married and it’s smooth white contours remind me of a shell.
The newest additions are dutch shoes and a glass dutch windmill. Given to me by my husband to remind me of the decorated trees at Meijer Gardens. The whole dutch tree was covered with these two decorations.
I find that the time to remember and time taken to recall the stories bring a smile to my day.
Each precious memory is tucked in tissue paper and placed in various small boxes to be unwrapped in the next year.
By New Year Day, the indoor decorations are put away. The first day of the new year is spent cleaning and reflecting on what old thoughts and habits to put away. I take time to reflect on the people from the last year that I am grateful for.
I resolve to give to others in sharing talents, time and treasure with them.
I hope you can find many reasons to be grateful for the year 2020. If you come across an ornament that you don’t recognize , don’t worry. Consider it a gift and form a story around it.
Make your own memory stories.
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What adorns my Christmas Tree?
a bisque doll
a teddy bear
a red apple
french horn pair
a jeweled candy cane
a striped sock
and two bells
a small toy block
lites and memories hang
on the tree
they’re put away
for next year
to surprise me.
Carol Farnsworth
carolfarn@aol.com
copyright 12/29/2020
traveling up and down the blind highway 