I was a young bride of 22 married five months. Me, Bill and the kids ( his three little ones lived with us) decorated the tree and it looked so nice perched in the corner of our little living room. Saturday morning the ex came to pick up the kids and made a bee line for the tree. I clearly remember her saying to my husband "remember when we got this ornament, I loved this one so much and wasn't this your favorite?" Needless to say they were removed from the tree after that Christmas and we donated them to charity eager to start our own collection of memories.
We purchased two main items that year an angel for the top of the tree and a nativity for under it. Each and every year we added different ornaments that the children made, first Christmas ornaments when Matthew and Eric were born,ornaments that were given to us as gifts, special occasion ornaments all of different sizes and colors. And now 32 years later we have an entire collection of different things many with specific memories attached.
This year we had a problem with the angel, she wouldn't light- the wires burned out. I found myself surprisingly unable to let her go where Bill would have just gotten something new.
Like a member of the family I was used to her presence atop the tree looking down at the kids when they were little playing with their toys and beyond. Now I just couldn't wrap my head around her not being there to see their kids doing the same thing the prospect was unthinkable to me.
Bill and I discussed it and it was decided we would have to replace her but I secretly hoped to find another similar angel so I could use that ones lights to replace her lights with new ones. I found a similar style of angel that had the same style lights (yes I did a happy dance!) and was able to use those light in my dear sweet angel.
My girl is back glowing brightly atop my tree hopefully for another 32 or more years!
Like a member of the family I was used to her presence atop the tree looking down at the kids when they were little playing with their toys and beyond. Now I just couldn't wrap my head around her not being there to see their kids doing the same thing the prospect was unthinkable to me.
Bill and I discussed it and it was decided we would have to replace her but I secretly hoped to find another similar angel so I could use that ones lights to replace her lights with new ones. I found a similar style of angel that had the same style lights (yes I did a happy dance!) and was able to use those light in my dear sweet angel.
My girl is back glowing brightly atop my tree hopefully for another 32 or more years!
That's a beautiful tree, Jen! Glad you were able to rehab the angel... she's a member of the family
ReplyDeleteLove the tree and the angel. Glad to know I'm not the only one with tubs and tubs of Christmas stuff. It takes me two days also...that is what I will be doing this weekend...wish me luck! :)
ReplyDeleteHow neat you could "salvage" the angel and have her be where she belongs, at the top of your tree! Looks good too!! I love the story of the ornaments of long ago; I can imagine you would want to have your own memories indeed of ornaments hung on your tree!
ReplyDeletebetty
I am soooo with you. There is no replacing after too much, too many memories! I am so happy you found the re-wires!!! I loved this post. Merry Christmas season, my friend!
ReplyDeleteAwww wonderful! Your tree is beautiful. I can certainly understand it wouldn't have been the same without YOUR angel. Was one of you two days spent pining over her not working? That would have been me. I get stuck on what's broken and can't proceed until something is done about it.
ReplyDeleteShe's Beautiful :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful tree Jen, and the angel..perfection!
ReplyDeleteI think we'll keep her Jackie ;) I hope you have a great Christmas and I'm waiting to hear about that baby!
DeleteI love this story of how your tree became an outward symbol of your growth as a family and a testament to your memories together. In a world where we throw so much away and move on from one fad to the next, I love that you have held on to that special angel! May the new one be just as faithful!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas, friend!
(PS-Your tree is gorgeous!)
Awww, so sweet <3 so glad your angel is shining where she belongs :-)
ReplyDeleteIt's a beautiful tree! So glad you got your angel back.
ReplyDeletewhat a lovely memory filled tree...with the perfect topping too!
ReplyDeleteTrying to keep grounded in what Christmas really means!
DeleteWhat a precious time piece. So glad you fixed her and got her glowing again. :-) She is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThanks Angelia I could't imagine a Christmas without her!
DeleteAs someone with my own special angel on top the tree, glad to hear you could fix yours!
ReplyDeleteI expect that one day one of the kids will have her on their tree!
DeleteLovely Jen,I've actually just said on your photo blog,which I read first that your tree decs looked as if you had them when the children were young and they must hold memories. I agree about the angel,you had to keep her.
ReplyDelete