So then comes the first weekend of December. That is usually when I finally start transitioning items from Thanksgiving to Christmas. Well, there is a great possibility that my son, his wife and the granddaughters are not going to come back here for Christmas. They live in TN and the 7 hour drive turns into 9 hours for them due to potty breaks, stop breaks, walk breaks...it is hard for little ones to travel in booster seats and seat belts that are restricting. I totally understand. We are so grateful to have had them here for Thanksgiving for an entire week. It was awesome and like a healing balm to a wound! So we all are trying to figure out how to get together for Christmas/New Years. I have said all of that to say this...I don't think I will put up a BIG tree this year. After having discussed this with my 88 year old Father-in-law who lives with us, we both agreed... wholeheartedly. My husband doesn't mind at all, just so he doesn't have to do any of it!
So with that decision made, I decided to have several Mini-Tree's and some of our routine Christmas decorations. This all sort of came to me as the day progressed. I spotted my Mother-in-law's ceramic tree that she made back around 1970. She loved that little tree and I have tried to use it somewhere every Christmas. Gammie, as she was lovingly known by the grand kids, died in our home 3 years ago with Hospice. She had desired cremation and for her urn to be buried in a grave plot beside her parents. The burial was planned, and about 3 days prior, my Father-in-law said he just couldn't do it yet. After reassuring him that was his choice, we decided to wait until he was ready. He still isn't. So Mom's urn sits in a corner of our Living Room. Dad set it up with pictures, her father's bible, a Tiffany lamp she loved and a few other items. It is like a memorial for her. And that is OK. He speaks to her each morning. They were married 61 years. So this year, I placed the little ceramic tree oh her table. She loved to "hand-quilt" and made many little table runners. I decided to place one there as well. As I was setting this up, I noticed the tree base has a music box inside. Never knew that. I wound it up and it played Silent Night...it turned out to be a special little place for her...Dad was pleased. 
While I was gathering the ceramic tree, I noticed a plastic grocery bag tied up in my Christmas decorations tub. I don't usually use those in there b/c I like to "see" what is in the tub and use zip lock bags. So as I opened it up I realized that they were my Mother's Christmas tree ornaments! I immediately started to cry. Mother died in May of this year. She had been staying with my sister and we made the decision to sell her house. It had basically been un-lived in for 2 years. Every now and then, someone would take her by there for a "drive-by" and sometimes I even took her there to spend a weekend. She wanted us to sell it for her...so we did. After the sale, we had the job to clear out her things. That was a job! Anyway, I remember the "who wants this" type of questions about many things. I'm not sure why I spoke up about her ornaments...but I did. We often giggled at Mother's little tree throughout the years. Her ornaments weren't ornate, nor did they have a certain theme...nor quality. Most of them were from many years past. Lots of grandchildren ones, some homemade, and quite a few crocheted angels that probably an elderly friend from church made for Mother. When I opened the bag, a rush of the past came over me. I had a table top tree that I put on my foyer table and went about designing a Snowflake & Angels tree as a tribute to my Mother. It turned out sweet...Mother would be proud. Feels like I have Mother with me for Christmas.
As I looked further in the tub, I came across these sweet angels of Mother's. They were really cute. Love their sweet faces. Think she always had these in her living room on the drop-leaf table. Found these balls last week in one of my "thrift" shopping expeditions...they matched perfectly!!! Almost as if it were planned...hmmm.
Well, while describing my deco, let me go ahead. Our church supports a local ministry that helps women who are recovering from drug/alcohol addiction. In our WMU meetings, I had heard of Valley of Hope and the different needs they have there. Then on Friday, I received our Association's newsletter and again saw a post about Valley of Hope. But this time, they had just opened a Thrift Store in my town to help meet the needs of the ministry. Well, let me tell you, I LOVE a thrift store. Probably b/c my mother took me to them often while I was growing up! Anyway, I decided to go by there and check it out yesterday. While there, I found this neat sleigh. Perfect for a hearth or table arrangement. Well, I had been asked to "decorate a table" for our churches Senior Citizen Singles Dinner. Something we do annually for the community seniors who have lost their spouses. A great outreach. Well, this sleigh will be my table top center piece! Love it!!!
As it turns out...and it's not over yet... I am enjoying this "Mini" Christmas this year! I had no idea it would be so sentimental. Even though this is panning out to be a very different Christmas for me...no visit to see my Mother, my grandchildren not being here on Christmas Day, my son and daughter-in-law not here to celebrate with...it is still being special. I find that Kent & I have been reaching out this season already. Adopting rest home residents, buying toys for the Toy Store for underprivileged families going through bit of a hard time and the Senior Citizens...it's going to be good...my daughter and her husband will be here...and we'll figure out some New Year's plans for everyone to be together.
