It is not a Christmas Tree ... It is a Tree Of Memories

Christmas has always been my favorite Holiday. But not because of the getting of presents, but the giving of gifts, the sounds, the smells, the sights of the season. This year has been a tough one on us, as it has been on many, but somehow Christmas magic still comes in, on a tree full of memories of Christmas past.

 
My tree is not just a tree with lights and bulbs, but a tree of memories. The hanging of each ornament comes with a story of how that trinket gained a spot on the tree. The decorations are simple, many of them made by my girls years ago. The rest have been made for me or given as gifts, or carry some special meaning to the tree of memories.

Some are simple store bought ones, the girls or the grand-kids painted or made over the years.
We also have a few fishing bobbers left from the time we did the whole tree with them. We had silver and red and white bobbers all over the tree, which proved to be quite nice, especially living on the lake. But being the avid fishers we were, most got used afterward.
                                                                                                                                                                 We have Harley ornaments that we received from people, and bells for the movie It's a Wonderful Life.

Theres the picture Santa my oldest, Stephanie, got while in High School, and the okra Santa the youngest, Sandi, did in High School. Each having their own special spot every year.






But the one that is always asked about by anyone seeing this Hodgepodge of a tree is the simple little piece of tinfoil, all tied up with purple string. Sandi was about five years old, and times were really tough that year. She came up with that special present, her own design of a Christmas present ornament and asked if it could go on the tree.

That IS what Christmas is all about. Not how big the tree is, not how many gifts under it, not how fancy the display is. It is about the love and memories tucked among the branches of the simple little tree.

Part two - The newest addition:

This year has been a roller coaster year for me.  But it has been one filled with special friendships.  And the most important one has been the wonderful experience of working with Damien Cripps.  We have had a tough year together, especially when the hopes of our meeting had been postponed till next year due to visa issues.

Today a special package arrived.  I must say it was something I will treasure forever for not only for what it is, and what it symbolizes, but for the fact one very special friend understands the meaning of my "Memory Tree".  This now has a special place of honor on the tree and always will.

Thank you Nicole - You have been a great friend, and you will never know how much this gift means to me. It not only symbolizes the up and down year of 2010 and  my friendship with Damien ...
....but the special one I have with you as well.

And the Story Continues ...

Now the tree has a new lighthouse ... I love lighthouses, although have never seen one 'live'.  There is something about them that I find comforting.
This little lighthouse has an angel and the words 'guiding light'.  Given to me by (once again) my dear friend Nicole.
 Nicole - you are such angel... and have been a guiding light within my life - often letting me know that I am too close to crashing into rocks.  Shine on :)

Latest Addition............

A Few years ago ....after 20 years together we actually got Married! ... Yeah, have trouble getting my Better Half to remember the date ...so got this 

And the kids had the same idea ;) 

And MORE.........

Latest additions that brought a smile to my face as I was decorating the tree. Two precious ornaments from our sweet Grandson AJ..... one he made and one he picked out and bought at the school Christmas Shop last year in Kindergarten ... forever will be cherished