Happy Mess of Memories

I'd be very happy to take another year like 2011 (without the lousy governor), thank you very much. Having a real Christmas tree again was the the start of the happy ending. Since a real tree was a health concern the past few years, having one this year became a symbol of the happier, healthier times we hope will continue.

When our kids were young, each one was allowed to pick out one new ornament for the tree every year. Of course a few tree-crashes and years of use means not all have survived, but the ornaments still hold plentiful memories for me. Even better, the kids were pleased to find some of their favorites when they were here for our Christmas celebration over the weekend. After seeing some beautifully ornamented trees in other people's homes, I briefly considered changing my tree-decorating approach. The themed trees are lovely indeed and ever so tempting -- especially those color controlled schemes. But once I started hanging one memory after another, I knew there would never be one here.

I love our happy mess of ornaments that reflect each of our different tastes as the years went by. All the cows Jane sent for years ... the "baby's first Christmas" ornaments ... my personal favorite: Mama Bear, Papa Bear and five baby bears all lined up in a bed ... the nursery rhyme ornaments Mom sent when the kids were little ...the crocheted satin balls Grandma Ruesch made ... the 4-H projects made by Alyssa ... the sometimes reluctantly made projects by the boys ... the single surviving red ball from our first ever tree ... even the angel the kids selected many years ago ... all of them combine to make one happy mess of a tree. Our Christmas tree .. and the passing year ... leave me feeling just as pleased as the jolly snowman Jeannine stitched on the cutest-ever pillow.

Happy New Year!