I haven’t put up a Christmas tree or decorated for Christmas in years. Not because I don’t like Christmas or the act of giving, quite the opposite. It’s just not really that much fun anymore and, well, it makes me a little sad now.
When our three girls were younger, we made a big deal of putting up the tree and decorating it. Each year, we would get a new Christmas ornament that somehow told a story for that year. It could be an event or person or anything that reminded us of something for that year. And every year following that, we would reminisce about whatever happened with that ornament. It usually brought laughter, but sometimes it brought memories we could never forget, such as our 2001 ornament, GOD BLESS AMERICA, for the 9/11 tragedy.
We’d put on Christmas music, nibble on snacks (peanut M&Ms usually, LOL, don’t judge), decorate the tree, reminisce (usually tears from me), then when we finished, we’d turn off all the lights in the house, *insert drum roll here*….turn on the tree lights…..ooooohhh and aaahhhh!!!!
I really do miss those days.
So, this year, I decided to get a small tree (ease my way back in LOL) and put it up at the gym. I spent the Friday after Thanksgiving doing just that. I pulled out some of the ornaments and shared some of the history and story with a few members as I was decorating the tree. It felt good to remember happy times and share them with others.
In years past, there were also ornaments made by the girls at school or Sunday school and each of those had a story, as well. Some were, well let’s just say, they had character. LOL! I have since given most of those ornaments to the girls so they can fill their own tree and build memories and traditions with their own families, BUT I did keep one. A little ‘special gift’ made by one of the girls. It’s a little worn, but if you come into TriForce Fitness, you will see the tree and the “special gift” under the tree.
Read the message and know that this is our wish for each of you this holiday season.
Merry Christmas my friends!