My Ornaments

One of my favorite traditions has always been setting up my Christmas tree. Over the years, my tree has experienced some unique looks. When the boys were all little, all the ornaments were on the top half of the tree, leaving the bottom for homemade ornaments that I didn't mind seeing broken. Then, as the boys wanted to help, our ornaments would all be placed in the direct middle of the tree and in great concentration there as the boys were putting them in the first spot they detected. But, this year was different.

This year, I put the ornaments on mostly by myself. The three boys meandered in and out of the room between games on the computer. So, I was able to place the ornaments where I wanted.

I hadn't realized how nostalgic many of the ornaments would make me.

First, I put up each of the White House ornaments that my Grandma Dilley purchases for all the ladies each year. These ornaments are simply stunning, ranging from replicas of the White House to displaying a horse and carriage to a little drummer boy. Typically, the ornaments sparkle with a shiny gold background. What startled me the most this year was the amount of the ornaments I had. Wasn't it just yesterday that she began buying us these? Actually, I think it has been almost 15 years!

Next, I selected a few of the ornaments that Chris' grandmother had made for us when we were first married. These ornaments were lovingly created by her, and the box that contains them even still holds the note that she enclosed when she gifted them to us.

I began finding ornaments from my collection that mom had given me through the years. There is the recent (only ten years old) ornament from Mount Union College. The porcelain white bell from 1978. The Andover ball from 1987. The brass bell from 1982. The 1975 Disney ball actually brought tears brimming to my eyes. This object is as old as I am !

I found my favorite ornament from Rosalind, a little Snowbaby swaddled from the Hallmark Snowbaby collection. I also treasure a golden angel she purchased years ago for us.

I found Chris' old collection of ornaments from when he grew up; my favorite, a Christmas tree with his name engraved.

I found years of the boys' ornaments that Grandma Doucette purchased representing "My first Christmas, My second Christmas" and so on.

I found ornaments from students that I have had in years past. One from a student from 1998. I love finding that ornament every year to remind me of her kindness. I put one on my tree from a student who gave it to me only last year. What a special memory.

As I finished, I looked at the tree and realized it was still incomplete. It is waiting for the additional ornaments that we add each and every year that will continue to create a special feeling of Christmas.