The day after New Year's Day. Undress the tree, pack away the decorations for another year, rearrange the rooms to fill the space that the tree and other Xmas related things took up. Store all the boxes, that won't be opened until next year, in the basement, or attic, or closet, and really begin the new year.
That's what the day is about for me. Looking at the tree decorations one last time until next year. Some are just glass or plastic, but some are a memory disguised as a Christmas decoration.
Like the wax coated, glitter sprinkled, origami star that my nephew Kent made for me when he was in grade school. How many years ago? That would be...42 years ago. Held in my hand twice every year, once gong up and once coming down. Junk to anyone else. Treasure to me. A bit of paper, folded with love by little hands, and a heart that knew I would keep and treasure this offering forever. That little boy, so loved, is a grown away man, but twice a year he is a child of my heart once more.
I have some of my grandfathers decorations. these get wrapped in paper before being packed away. Every year, without fail, I remember gram pa's house, and he sits at the kitchen table smoking. Faintly comes the smell of wood and smoke, and apples and chalk. All this remembered through the great, cut glass pitcher, glittering always in my mind's eye.
Branches and branches of snowflakes and angels made by, or bought by, other children of my heart. For me. Just for me.
A glass globe so thin and fragile it has it's own velvet box, a brass angel, and owls of all sizes that came from my Daughter, remembered by which house we lived in the year they arrived.
A new this year, star, copper and glass, from my ex husband and his new wife. I am pleased to add one more star to my treasury.
Next year, twice, I will remember the first Christmas in this house, and this person in my life who has remained a friend of my heart, and his lovely new wife who accepts not only my children and my grand children, but me as well. She has such style! He got so lucky this time. I wish them both the best.
That's what the day is about for me. Looking at the tree decorations one last time until next year. Some are just glass or plastic, but some are a memory disguised as a Christmas decoration.
Like the wax coated, glitter sprinkled, origami star that my nephew Kent made for me when he was in grade school. How many years ago? That would be...42 years ago. Held in my hand twice every year, once gong up and once coming down. Junk to anyone else. Treasure to me. A bit of paper, folded with love by little hands, and a heart that knew I would keep and treasure this offering forever. That little boy, so loved, is a grown away man, but twice a year he is a child of my heart once more.
I have some of my grandfathers decorations. these get wrapped in paper before being packed away. Every year, without fail, I remember gram pa's house, and he sits at the kitchen table smoking. Faintly comes the smell of wood and smoke, and apples and chalk. All this remembered through the great, cut glass pitcher, glittering always in my mind's eye.
Branches and branches of snowflakes and angels made by, or bought by, other children of my heart. For me. Just for me.
A glass globe so thin and fragile it has it's own velvet box, a brass angel, and owls of all sizes that came from my Daughter, remembered by which house we lived in the year they arrived.
A new this year, star, copper and glass, from my ex husband and his new wife. I am pleased to add one more star to my treasury.
Next year, twice, I will remember the first Christmas in this house, and this person in my life who has remained a friend of my heart, and his lovely new wife who accepts not only my children and my grand children, but me as well. She has such style! He got so lucky this time. I wish them both the best.
posted by Gem_with_faraway_eyes | 8:55 AM
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