"It's coming on Christmas, they're cutting down trees..."
Just a ode to Joni Mitchell. Now, I am not a big Joni fan, but that song is a favorite and it makes me think of decorating for Christmas. I guess it was the scene in You've Got Mail, where Meg Ryan is decorating the tree and singing that song, who knows, but I like it.
I was thinking about Christmas decorations today as I hung garland at my front door, trying desperately to keep my balance and my quiet so as not to awaken the sleeping child. I love decorating for the holidays. I enjoy Thanksgiving decorations and Christmas ones . I just put all the turkeys away and now the house is glowing with twinkle lights and pretty, well loved ornaments and knick knacks. I have been decorating for almost three days now, and still have an attic filled with more to come. Each year, I change it up a little, and since the baby, somethings don't make it down the ladder at all. This year, we have the usual snowman tree, the fluffy, sing,song, press the button teddy and Santa that delight a three year old - over, and over and over again, we have a wreath on the door, garland at the window, and the kitchen is hosting the Coke Tree, a new collection I started a few years back. It really does look like a holiday is about to happen.
All this decorating made me remember a happy Christmas memory. When my husband and I were newlyweds, we were active in the church where we met and were married. There was a group of young marrieds and singles and we tended to do EVERYTHING together. We also were blessed by some "older" and wiser married couples, who served as our leaders and counselors. One particular couple were older than the rest. Only physically did this difference show up - they kept up with us "younguns" quite well.
Every Christmas, the church calendar was of course filled to brimming with activities and we all participated. But every year, one event really stood out for me. Usually the first Sunday after Thanksgiving, after morning worship, we, the youth and young marrieds, would head over to this couple's home. We would always be greeted with a great meal, usually chili and then the fun would start. Because of health reasons, Ms. Doris was unable to decorate her home for the holidays as she used to, so we all chipped in and did the work. It was always so much fun. There were tons of decorations, for every room in the house. Trees to decorate, garland to string, even an enormous Christmas village to assemble in the dining room - with the cutest little skating rink, and real skating figures. Somehow, Christmas wasn't Christmas until we had been to Tal and Doris' and decorated with and for them.
I thought about them today, and remembered what fun we all used to have decorating their house. Doris died a few years back, and just a few months ago, Tal joined her up in Heaven. I know that they are reunited once again, and probably witnessing some indescribable decorations this year, but they will always live in my Christmas memory. I will never forget the joy of giving to them, and the wonderful gift they gave all of us with their lives and service at that church.
I hadn't forgotten that memory, but it was pushed far back into my brain. I am thankful for this chilly afternoon, and the quiet of my house which helped bring it back up to the forefront again. I am certain that from now on, every time I decorate for the holidays, I will stop and remember Tal and Doris, and the fun of sharing Christmas with others.
Merry, Merry, Everyone!
Just a ode to Joni Mitchell. Now, I am not a big Joni fan, but that song is a favorite and it makes me think of decorating for Christmas. I guess it was the scene in You've Got Mail, where Meg Ryan is decorating the tree and singing that song, who knows, but I like it.
I was thinking about Christmas decorations today as I hung garland at my front door, trying desperately to keep my balance and my quiet so as not to awaken the sleeping child. I love decorating for the holidays. I enjoy Thanksgiving decorations and Christmas ones . I just put all the turkeys away and now the house is glowing with twinkle lights and pretty, well loved ornaments and knick knacks. I have been decorating for almost three days now, and still have an attic filled with more to come. Each year, I change it up a little, and since the baby, somethings don't make it down the ladder at all. This year, we have the usual snowman tree, the fluffy, sing,song, press the button teddy and Santa that delight a three year old - over, and over and over again, we have a wreath on the door, garland at the window, and the kitchen is hosting the Coke Tree, a new collection I started a few years back. It really does look like a holiday is about to happen.
All this decorating made me remember a happy Christmas memory. When my husband and I were newlyweds, we were active in the church where we met and were married. There was a group of young marrieds and singles and we tended to do EVERYTHING together. We also were blessed by some "older" and wiser married couples, who served as our leaders and counselors. One particular couple were older than the rest. Only physically did this difference show up - they kept up with us "younguns" quite well.
Every Christmas, the church calendar was of course filled to brimming with activities and we all participated. But every year, one event really stood out for me. Usually the first Sunday after Thanksgiving, after morning worship, we, the youth and young marrieds, would head over to this couple's home. We would always be greeted with a great meal, usually chili and then the fun would start. Because of health reasons, Ms. Doris was unable to decorate her home for the holidays as she used to, so we all chipped in and did the work. It was always so much fun. There were tons of decorations, for every room in the house. Trees to decorate, garland to string, even an enormous Christmas village to assemble in the dining room - with the cutest little skating rink, and real skating figures. Somehow, Christmas wasn't Christmas until we had been to Tal and Doris' and decorated with and for them.
I thought about them today, and remembered what fun we all used to have decorating their house. Doris died a few years back, and just a few months ago, Tal joined her up in Heaven. I know that they are reunited once again, and probably witnessing some indescribable decorations this year, but they will always live in my Christmas memory. I will never forget the joy of giving to them, and the wonderful gift they gave all of us with their lives and service at that church.
I hadn't forgotten that memory, but it was pushed far back into my brain. I am thankful for this chilly afternoon, and the quiet of my house which helped bring it back up to the forefront again. I am certain that from now on, every time I decorate for the holidays, I will stop and remember Tal and Doris, and the fun of sharing Christmas with others.
Merry, Merry, Everyone!
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