Oh Christmas Tree...

Each night and every early morning during the Christmas season, one of my favorite things to do is gaze at the Christmas tree lights and look at the many bulbs and decorations on the tree. Come take a virtual view of my tree (and many trees past and future) showing some of my ornaments and why they mean so much to me. 

The past couple of years, we've put the noble fir on a table, out of reach of our basset buddies. Under the tree are musical little furry friends. 

My very first ornament, made of cardboard and  glitter. Mom got it for me when I was very young, along with an angel and an elf for my sisters.

In 6th grade (before schools became politically correct) each classmate brought in or made an ornament for the class tree. My friend Sandy Honaker made this delicate egg and gave it to me after Christmas. It has held up well in all my travels these past 43 years.

Momma sent this little Raggety Anne, and the Santa boot, to me at my first military base so that I would have ornaments for the tree my roommate, Jeri, and I set up. The dolly has always reminded me of my niece Bonnie, who was about 4 at the time.

 Jeri's mom made this delightful beaded egg to complement the one I had, and Jeri and I bought the little ornaments below - Precious Moments as Tiny Tim, the Little Drummer Boy, the Lion and Lamb and a Nativity. Our little tree, and that time, in a dorm room in Kokomo, Indiana, was special indeed.

In 1975 I was stationed in Taiwan for two Christmases, and this was the ornament for that time. It is quite delicate, made of silk and thin metal.

My sister, June sent me this Home ornament after Doug and I were married. It is pretty heavy and requires a sturdy branch. Speaking of which, most of my ornaments are tied with little bows. With dogs and small children, this was the best way of keeping the decorations on the tree. The little red, white and green bows add something too.

The little skunk below, peeking out of a stocking, was sent to Doug by my sister Rosa. He is made of coal and is a reminder that my sisters think Doug is crazy because he likes the smell of skunk. (In moderation.)

This lovely parakeet was on Doug's mom's tree. It now is one of many birds that nest in our branches at Christmas.

Lobster Claus here is just one of many ornaments that document something we did each year. We went to Boston in 1989. There is a Disney ornament from 1984, Seattle in 1997, to name a few.

In 1994 Miss Winsome Winifred Grace came to bring us much joy, and in 1996 our Schultzie dog crossed the Rainbow Bridge.

  In 1990, for a very brief moment, the world was at peace. This ornament is a reminder that peace, though fleeting, is possible.

 Some ornaments are remembrances of people. The beaded star was my oldest sister Mari's and will forever remind me that we lost her too soon, at age 42.  The 

Angel on the left says "Noel" and although meaning Christmastide, for me it reminds me of my brother-in-law Noel (Mari's first husband) who died in September last year. The Angel on the right is one of several made by Gail Stifel at our church and given to the Deacons each year. Joyful decorations for the tree, but also a reminder of our dear Mary Kellogg who was the boys' caregiver (and angel) when they were young. Our paths don't often cross, but she is always in our minds and spirits.

"Christmas for Cowboys" is a John Denver song. This ornament was made by a JD friend from Monterey and given out one Aspen in October.  A reminder of good friends, good times, good music.

There are a number of ornaments on the tree given by friends over the years. My friend LaVon gave this to me at one of our Progressive Dinner gatherings. She found it in Taos and it commemorates the fun we have at the Progressives, the friendship we have and our mutual love of Taos. 

Sometimes it is all about the placement. The Believe ornament I got last year found itself tied with Doug's Broncos ornament this year, as the team struggled to find its place in the NFL. So far, they're hanging steady!


Someone recently mentioned to me that she didn't know what meaning lights on trees and houses had in celebrating Christmas. For me, the lights and ornaments on a Christmas tree are constant reminders - whether celebrating Festivals of Lights, lighting a Menorrah, lighting up a child's eyes with presents or honoring the Light of the World!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!