I decorated our tree already. Usually I like to wait until around the 10th of December but my husband and son talked me into it early this year. I kept things rather simple and uncluttered, mostly because I don't have the gift of decorating. :-)
And it's a sad time of year for me. I miss my daughter Amy, and my mom whose birthday was Christmas Eve. Momma loved to craft and just about every ornament I unwrapped reminded me of her in some way. I treasure the memories but anyone who has lost someone will admit the holidays are difficult. Most of the time we just don't say anything.
The first Christmas without our daughter, I took our Angel topper out of the box and plugged her in but she didn't light up. New bulbs did not fix her. I searched every store in our area for a new one but no one carried the same kind anymore. She had been purchased the year our daughter was born so she was 28 years old. I was heart broken.
So, that first Christmas after Amy's death, we didn't have a topper. Frankly, I didn't want another one but my family asked me to put something on top of the tree the next year so I bought a pretty dark haired angel that reminded me of Amy.
This past summer I was at an estate sale and saw an angel topper with two lights. She was almost identical to the one we had before! I picked her up and asked the owner, an elderly lady, if I could plug the angel in to see if she worked and she did! I know it sounds ridiculous but I started to cry. The lady said, "Obviously there is a memory attached to an angel in your past." I shared with her the story I just told y'all and she started crying, enveloped me in a big hug and told me to take the angel. It was her gift to me.
Isn't she lovely? I suppose I'm a sentimental old fool. I know it doesn't really matter which angel is on top of the tree or even if it is a bow, but every time I see this lighted Angel, I smile. And I think about the blessing that lady's gift continues to be which in turn causes me to think of the real gift of Christmas, Christ Jesus. ;-)
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. (Isaiah 9:6-7)
Do you have any ornaments or decorations that you're 'attached' to?
A special memory you would like to share?
If so, I would love to chat with you in the comments.
I'm giving away my copy of Colors of Christmas by Olivia Newport .
My gift to you for taking time to visit me here at Stuff & Nonsense. :-)
Be sure and leave an email address in a non-spam format so I can contact you if you win.
I have to limit the giveaway to US participants only, due to postage costs.
~Blessings, my Friends~
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. (Isaiah 9:6-7)
Do you have any ornaments or decorations that you're 'attached' to?
A special memory you would like to share?
If so, I would love to chat with you in the comments.
My gift to you for taking time to visit me here at Stuff & Nonsense. :-)
Be sure and leave an email address in a non-spam format so I can contact you if you win.
I have to limit the giveaway to US participants only, due to postage costs.
~Blessings, my Friends~
Thanks for sharing your story. We keep it pretty simple, too! Tree and nativity and a couple things on the wall. My almost 101 year old Mother has given us ornaments over the years. I cherish each one. Thanks for the chance to win. paulams49ATsbcglobalDOTnet
ReplyDeleteWow, Paula! I bet you have some real heirloom ornaments from your mom! That's so wonderful. I inherited many of my momma's ornaments when she passed away. Thanks for commenting ~ Blessings for a great week in the Lord!
DeleteI am attached to the ornaments my mom made. fishingjanATaolDOTcom
ReplyDeleteOh Jan, I hear you! Do you have a favorite? My mom showed me how to make many ornaments. We always had such fun. I miss her. Thanks for commenting. Blessings, friend!
DeleteIt's lovely to think that memories are interwoven with such pretty hings, but I'm sure there must be heart rending moments too, dear Anne.
ReplyDeletethings.
DeleteOh yes, Barbara! I cried a few tears as I decorated the tree. But I am grateful for the memories. Much love to you, my friend! Have you put up a tree this year?
DeleteWhat a nice post. It makes me think of all my ornaments that are from my past. Thank you so much for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteHey Tammy, Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. Isn't it amazing how many memories are triggered by something so ordinary? If you would, please come back and leave your email in case you win. TY!!! :)
DeleteWhat a nice story about finding another angel topper!! I am sorry for the losses of your daughter and your Mom.
ReplyDeleteI have a lot of special ornaments and enjoy hanging them on the tree/s each year. I love your living room with the beams and that great fireplace. It looks peaceful and lovely.
May your Christmas holidays be filled with love, joy and peace ~ FlowerLady
Hello Rainey! I know you understand loss. I've been thinking about you and praying for you. How many trees do you put up? I guess I can hop over to the blog and see if you've posted. haha :)
DeleteThe beams and high ceiling (9 1/2 ft) and fireplace were what attracted us to the house. It was all dark brown and ugly when we bought it. One day I will post a before picture. Seriously, the walls, carpet and fireplace...all brown. But I saw the potential for letting in the amazing light that comes in the front picture window. I love it!
May the Lord bless you and keep you and give you peace ~
Dear Anne ~ Thank you for your prayers! This is a hard week/month.
DeleteI have 4 little trees, 2 around 3' tall, one about 18" tall and one about 12" tall. :-) I'll post pics on my blog when I'm done decorating.
You took an ugly brown duckling of a living room and turned it into a lovely white swan.
Yes, I have been struggling too. Many emotions so near the surface. But God knows that and gives me good friends who encourage me, sometimes just with a hug.
DeleteI think one of these days I want to try having a couple of smaller trees. Sounds like something fun and festive to in more than one room. I like they way you describe my LR! {{hugs}}
I love your story. Thank you so much for sharing. I put a number of "decorations" on my tree that remind me of loved ones. I have several small toys that belonged to my grandchildren, when they were little. I also have several decorations they made or crafts they gave me that are now decorations. After my husband died, I added some items that belonged to him--his special watch, an old pair of glasses, etc. One thing we did when we traveled was to buy something to put on the tree. They bring back lots of good memories. Blessings...may_dayzee(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteHi Kay! I love the idea of putting small toys on the tree. I am going to keep that in mind for the future. I have four grand children so far, and I know I have some small toys that belonged to my children when they were little.
DeleteI'm so very sorry about your husband. But how neat that you thought to use some of his things as decorations. I do truly love this idea! I have a son far away in the military and I could do this with a few of his personal items he has left with me for safe keeping.
We always buy one new ornament each year but we haven't chosen one this year yet. I'm waiting on one from an ornament exchange and might just use that.
Thanks for chatting, Kay! Blessings to you for a Happy Christmas!
Thank you for sharing, your lovely story and your copy of Olivia's book, so kind of you.
ReplyDeletewfnren at aol dot com
Glad you stopped by, Wendy!
DeleteAnne, how my heart hurts for you. My Mother-in-Law and my Mother both died around Christmas. I also don't have the gift for decorating. I will be remembering you in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteJanet E.
von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com
Thank you, Janet. It's a bittersweet time of year for many. I'm thankful for the Lord's presence and the family and friends he still has in place in my life. Merry Christmas, my friend!
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