Oh, what a beautiful essay! I’m trying to write this through the tears that are filling my eyes because my tree, too, is alive with all the love a heart can hold - especially because elves appear right after Thanksgiving to decorate it. For the past four years, ever since my husband, Joe, died, my daughters have brought my three granddaughters down (although now the oldest granddaughter brings herself from her own place) to decorate my tree. So my tree is a wonderful combination of memories from the past and joy of the present. Thank you so much for sharing your special memories with us.
Love this! Our tree is full of memories, too. Those fancy decorator color-coordinated trees are not for us! I also plan to adorn a door with the giant construction paper Santa my now 30-year-old daughter made in kindergarten until it disintegrates.
We massively downsized the Christmas operation last year and I'm not gonna lie, it's kinda depressing, but as I am an early and severe casualty of SAD anyway it's not really that noticeable above the background blues. I did want to say thank you tho, not only for your thoughtful essays but also you (or your algorithm) have been sending me quite a few new new followers, an early Xmas present for which I am very grateful! Thanks!
Crying. Missing my family. My assimilated Jewish family that always had a Christmas tree. With decorations that meant something. For years I did too. Life changes and no more. My dad (z”l) died 16 years before Mom (z”l) and she continued to put up her little tree like yours: alive in every way that mattered. When Mom died and items were divided, I asked a dear friend in the town to which my parents moved in the ‘70s if she’d cherish it and she did. Til she too died. Now I think the ornaments survive with her kids & grands.
Yearly, I choose special ornaments - hand crafted - to send to special people. This year, a Turkish-American friend’s beautifully designed and painted ones. Support an artist; give an heirloom.
Thank you for this. I’ll think of you on Christmas Eve sitting just as I would.
Oh and OU! Niece, lots of friends, all grads. Special place in my heart.
Oh, what a beautiful essay! I’m trying to write this through the tears that are filling my eyes because my tree, too, is alive with all the love a heart can hold - especially because elves appear right after Thanksgiving to decorate it. For the past four years, ever since my husband, Joe, died, my daughters have brought my three granddaughters down (although now the oldest granddaughter brings herself from her own place) to decorate my tree. So my tree is a wonderful combination of memories from the past and joy of the present. Thank you so much for sharing your special memories with us.
So sorry you lost Joe. I hope you feel his presence ♥️
He’s always in my heart and sometimes his presence is very strong. Thank you.
Love this! Our tree is full of memories, too. Those fancy decorator color-coordinated trees are not for us! I also plan to adorn a door with the giant construction paper Santa my now 30-year-old daughter made in kindergarten until it disintegrates.
Good for you!
I have ornaments from before I was born on my tree, that now mean something to only me.
You brought home the true joy of all the holidays in this essay. Thank you & may all the blessings of all the holidays rest lightly on your family. 💜
You, too.
Love your beautiful tree!❤
My tree is so much like yours...a big mess of love and light. I need to get mine up.
Thanks for a lovely essay that made me a touch verklempt.
We massively downsized the Christmas operation last year and I'm not gonna lie, it's kinda depressing, but as I am an early and severe casualty of SAD anyway it's not really that noticeable above the background blues. I did want to say thank you tho, not only for your thoughtful essays but also you (or your algorithm) have been sending me quite a few new new followers, an early Xmas present for which I am very grateful! Thanks!
Crying. Missing my family. My assimilated Jewish family that always had a Christmas tree. With decorations that meant something. For years I did too. Life changes and no more. My dad (z”l) died 16 years before Mom (z”l) and she continued to put up her little tree like yours: alive in every way that mattered. When Mom died and items were divided, I asked a dear friend in the town to which my parents moved in the ‘70s if she’d cherish it and she did. Til she too died. Now I think the ornaments survive with her kids & grands.
Yearly, I choose special ornaments - hand crafted - to send to special people. This year, a Turkish-American friend’s beautifully designed and painted ones. Support an artist; give an heirloom.
Thank you for this. I’ll think of you on Christmas Eve sitting just as I would.
Oh and OU! Niece, lots of friends, all grads. Special place in my heart.
May their memory be a blessing, and may you create new memories with the special people still in your life.