I decorate for Christmas.
Some years, not a single soul sees it. Some years, maybe one or two or three tops.
But, that’s because I travel, and it really doesn’t matter. I do it for me.
I refrained for many years. I could only see painful reminders. I suppose if there was such a thing, I’d say my grief has matured.
One year, I decided I’d at least try. I went through the box and struggled through each memory. Then, I went to World Market and Target and Meijer and struggled through buying new non-traditional décor in fuschia pink and winter blue and brilliant 80’s lime-ish green.
I couldn’t bring myself to put up the unique partial tree that Jeff and I had marveled over. Imagine a fake three-foot fir in a wicker basket – neatly sliced in verticle half to allow for wall hanging.
We used it in the townhouse, much to Miss Fred’s annoyance. She’d sit near the wall and balefully mewl. I suspect she was either trying to convince the tree to come down and play or she believed her caterwauling would spur us into action and bring all the shiny things down to her level.
It seems every year, I’ve managed to find the baby-steps, bits and pieces strength to add another sentimental piece. At least that’s what my lighted, miniature, fake burlap sack ensconced pine tree is telling me.
These are a few of my favorite things:
The purple and gold swirl paint bulb Jeff made.
The beaded snowman pin that Jeff also made
A tiny box with a big message from my mother-in-law, Sally
The tree topper is a handmade ornament from Nannee Vincze
The paper folded pinecone is a purchase I made at a craft show from a couple who reminded me so much of us.
The glass chili pepper is part of a set of six I bought for Jeff the Christmas after our store opened.
The Frankincense, Gold, and Myrrh were a beautifully authentic biblical present to myself, and to others one year.
The Hershey kiss angel, by my best guesstimate, is somewhere between 20-25 years old – the result of a crafting episode with my sister-in-law.
The illuminated pine bottle was a gift this year from a friend who likes to call me ‘sis’.
The miniature Hannukah lamp was a gift from my mother that year we took her to Bronner’s. That is a story unto itself.
The nativity was my first, acquired the same year I purchased my condo.
The tatted cross is a gift that is a story unto itself, as well. A heritage heirloom I was astonished and honored to receive from a family that wasn’t mine to start with, but now completely is.
The Christmas Loon comes from the same family. No one has ever able to explain why, and the only thing I’ve found on the internet is a reference to the Loon being the state bird of Minnesota.
And I have no idea where the super shiny sparkly pine cone came from or how it landed in my Christmas storage tote, but… I like it.
All of this sits on the top of my living room hutch. There’s a lot of love crammed onto the four-foot-long top, which is conveniently completely Blu proof. He’s got jumping issues.
Happy Christmas from me. Repeating an adored adopted phrase, I’m the one who wants you to know – God loves you, and so do I. Noel.
Picture for the Week: 
knabble 