Pomp and Circumstance

The Season is passing much too quickly.  There are sooo many wonderful things to see and do that it is impossible to do all you want or that you need to do. This Friday was one of those times for my family.  Our church family was traveling a few hours away to visit the Morehead University Planteterium's Christmas Holiday Light and Laser Show. This was something that my husband and I would have enjoyed immensly, but Friday was also the day that Lindsay, our youngest daughter, graduated from Shawnee University with a Masters in Occupational Therapy.  Even though we would have loved to see the Light Show, we loved the idea of her graduating with these honors even more.  So we had an afternoon and evening of commencement, dinner, meeting her friends and their parents, and rejoicing for this new stage in her life that is to begin.

The Gift of an Angel

My favorite old ornament is this little angel. Way back when I was a little girl in the First Grade, at Christmas time we exchanged names. I don't remember whose name I had, but a  thin, white haired girl named Murlon Whitt had mine.  I was so excited as the teacher, Mrs. Lemley, began passing out our Christmas gifts. I watched as the other kids opened their gifts, and one thing in particular caught my eye and I knew I really really wanted that box that opened up like a book and held lots of rolls of Life Savors. Back in those days, store bought candy was never found in our house (except for the Hershy bars that were kept for my dad's lunch bucket) and the thought of having all of those Life Savors would be the very best Christmas gift.  When my name was finally called, I looked at my wrapped gift and knew that it wasn't the pretty box of Life Savors, but maybe it was a new box of Crayola Crayons and a coloring book (like I had brought for my gift.) I unwrapped the gift and I remember trying not to cry but I was soooooo disappointed.  For my gift was this silver plastic angel ornament and a handkerchief.  What kind of gift was that? I know I did not show any gratitude toward that little girl. By the time I stepped off the bus and ran to the house, I was ready to explode and I did.  I cried and I knew even then that I was truly acting like a spoiled ungrateful little 6 year old.  After I vented, my mom reminded me that Christmas is about giving and not receiving...that Murlon had given me the best she had to give and that she had very little to give for she lived with her brother and grandmother in what used to be a chicken house.   I understood then that she probably gave up something for herself in order that she could give me a gift. I can remember feeling ashamed for how I acted and I realized that giving is important, but also important is receiving with gratitude whatever the gift.

I still have the ornament as you can see. Every year I remember Murlon  as I place the little angel on my Christmas tree and tell my daughters and grandchildren the story of the little angel that has watched over everyone of my Christmases since that day.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

Thanksgiving has been probably my most favorite holiday, but it seems that the "world" won't let me enjoy it like I used to.  Being able to spend a day and to concentrate on all the blessings in my life IS a blessing and I refuse to put up my Christmas Tree until my day of thanksgiving is over.  Im afraid though that before long Thanksgiving Day is going to be lost in the Festival of Buying that is now beginning on that day.  Why can't we all just slow down for one day and be thankful for family, friends, health, and our Savior Jesus.

This year I seem busier than ever (and more tired) and decided if I was putting up the Christmas tree by myself, it wasn't going to be the big tree with all of my precious ornaments. Now if someone else wanted to put it up that would have been wonderful. So I started looking for volunteers.  Daughter #2 said, "Oh yes, it's got to be the big tree.  I'll help you." 
     I said, "No, will you do it?"
     She replied, "Yes, I'll help." 
     I then explained a little more clearly, "No, I mean, will you do it?" 
     I must not have made myself understood because she then said, "Well, yes....I'll help." 
    Then I knew I had to be very much more explicit with my words.  "No, I mean will you put up the big tree by yourself?"
    I wasn't a bit surprised by her reply, but I think she was by my request. "Oooh, no.  I'll help you though."
So that is how we ended up with a tree (that's pre-lit and no need for all of those lights to be strung) that's only 4 1/2 feet tall and sits on a table.  But instead of three days of me dragging-out, decorating, and then putting empty containers away, I was finished and cleaned up in about three hours. I felt like a liberated woman!

Since this "baby" was going to be all mine, I decided to leave the Hallmark and even the homemade ornaments in the Rubbermaid containers and use only the ones that I felt like using this year. (Plus this little tree didn't need so very much.) I always wanted to do just crystal ornaments so that was my #1 decision and second, I had to have my ornaments that connect me to my family and younger self. So on my tree went crystal angels, icicles, birds, and hearts. Along with these went bubble lights. I have had these put away for years and never used them because they just didn't look right on the big tree. They may not look right now to anyone else, but I LOVE them.  They make me so bubbly.  I have always liked red beads so they went on, as well as two special ornaments from my childhood.  I will have to tell the story on that old angel, but that is another day.  Around the base of the tree are other connectors to my life.  But more about these things later.