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

Never Say Goodbye

Unlikely friends, you and me
I on my mountain you by the sea
Although we are an ocean apart
the winds carry your songs straight to my heart

We may never get to say hello, but we will never say goodbye.

No one knows what are in the plans
So many things are in God's hands
The world keeps spinning,
we're losing, we're winning
The seasons keep changing
things keep rearranging
but friendship can stand the test of time

So carry on my trusted friend
under your big blue sky

We may never get to say hello, but we will never say Goodbye.

It's a Sign I tell ya! Memory Walk for Alzheimers

In every family there is a blend of personalities.  Sometimes it makes an eloquent cocktail other times it is a fruit smoothie.  Yeah, my family is the latter, and the exotic ingredient that gives this fruit smoothie its kick is my sister.

Karen is the one with the thick mane of hair, dazzling smile and bubbling personality.  She is also about the size of a Tic Tac. Flamboyant, she makes a statement simply by walking into a room.

She is the one who can't change the bag in a vacuum cleaner, totally ( and I mean totally) freaks out at the sight of a spider ( with the exception of the one on the back steps that she named Harry or something ... ), thinks the new stove is great, but fails to realize it can do more than cook Frozen pizza.  She is one of those gals that is rarely seen without her 'face on' , even asked me when I was in premature labor if she had time to put on some makeup before taking me to hospital. ( She does admit quickly that was a dumb question). She was also the one who backed the car up on top of a fence the first time she drove to school.("who put that fence there?" )

Think the TV show "The Nanny" and you got my sister.  Karen's catch phrase is " Have You Met Me?"

Karen is also the one who shoulders the most in the family.  She is now living with Dad,  and was the one who was there with Mom through the Alzheimer's.  (Yes, so was my Brother, but men handle things different).  

Mom lost her battle to Alzheimer on Sept 24, 2005.  Karen was there with her, and for the past five years has been struggling to come to terms with the lost, with the disease, and with the fear of one day one of us may develop it.  She is not alone.

Karen called me the other day, all excited.  She was looking for a way to commemorate the Anniversary of Moms passing, but really was at a lost for something unique.  Then she was asked about walking in a walkathon by her co-workers at the assisted living center where she works.

" they asked if I would be interested in a walkathon , I said sure... when?  They said Sept 25.  I asked what for? and they said it was the ALZHEIMER'S MEMORY WALK!!!  The day after the anniversary of Moms death!  It is a sign I tell ya!!" ( that the Irish Mom coming out ... everything is a sign)

But truly this IS a sign.  To be able to walk and raise money and awareness for the very disease that claimed our Mother the day after the 5 year anniversary of her death IS a sign.

To help raise money for this, now til September 15th I will set aside $1 or 10% which ever is higher from EVERY sale at Renagade's for this Memory Walk.

Won't you stop by and check out the variety of items and help by buying one or two things?  This just maybe the thing to help not only my sister come to terms with the lost, but you can help find a cure.  Millions of children of Alzhiemers patients live in fear that one day, we shall develop this disease that robs the mind, leaving behind the shell of a person.  A fear of everytime you forget something you wonder, "is it starting?"  Trust me, even for those of us whom may never develop the disease, the fear of it is crippling.

I am proud of my Baby Sister, and wish I could walk with her.  But she knows I will be there in spirit, as will our Mom.

We miss you Mom .... 111

www.bonanzle.com/renagade 




More on my raising and losing mom : http://renagadelife.blogspot.com/2010/02/half-irish-half-italian-all-love.html