How did we get back to December already? It seems I just wrote about that…and wrote and wrote. I guess it comes around once a year so here goes the one for 1985. We put the tree up the first of the month because we were in Vicksburg for Thanksgiving which made us later than usual. It’s always nice to get out the ornaments and go through them. After the tree is set and arranged, and the lights are put on….then…..and only then, comes my favorite part. The ornaments.

It’s very special because they have come from everywhere…and no where. The family is well represented by what we put on the tree. It has been George’s custom ever since he came home from the Navy to give each of us a few Hallmark ornaments every year. When Hallmark realized the sales-ability of “series” they must have made a fortune. We all had our favorites.

George was pretty tuned in to the ones we enjoyed the most and then he would continue with them, completing the series for us. After all these years, I have quite a few of them, plus the ones given to my mother, which I have saved. There are ones the grandchildren have made, friends have made and so on. I’m sure the idea is repeated over and over in the Christmas season….taking them out of the box, pausing a minute to remember where they came from…and then going to the tree.

The tree. Isn’t that the most spectacular part of our decorating? I had friends who did ‘theme’ trees and others had them all over the house. They were always lovely to look at but I stay fairly conventional because of all the memories connected. I still enjoy riding around town at night to enjoy the trees in the windows and the outside decorations.

Of course the cards, the gifts, the wrapping….all of the church related functions…my favorite was always the one left up to me….the choir party. After singing the Christmas Cantata the Sunday evening before Christmas we made our way to the basement which was decorated and over-flowing with finger food. We were always on a “high” after the cantata because of the adrenalin pulsating through our veins and so there was lots of laughter, food and fellowship. The focus being, the presenting of gifts to the organist, pianist and the choir director.

One nice thing about living in a small town is the fact that you know everybody and know quite a bit about them. We cry together, laugh together, face defeat, illness, death, together……we welcome a new baby, attend weddings and send our kids off to college….together. That factor makes it so satisfying when you pass out gifts and accolades because you’ve seen the hard work leading up to the accomplishment. The hours of practice behind the scenes; the sacrifice of time they are willing to give. I wish everyone could be presented with an “atta boy” award for the good things done beyond themselves. I think if people were noticed and thanked once in a while the world would be a better place.

George had his 35th birthday on the 22nd and we talked on the phone with each other. He met us at Becky’s on Christmas Day and we celebrated in her home this year. Mom came with us and we had a very nice day together. We visited with John and Barb via the phone and exchanged lists of the gifts we had received. George came on home with us for a few days and then drove back to Shawnee.

Soon it was time to put the decorations in their boxes for another year. Three or four new ones were added and acknowledged….then carried to the garage for storage. There was just one last thing to be done to complete the season. We drove to the cemetery and sat a few moments by dad’s grave. Time goes so fast, it was hard to grasp the fact dad had been gone for 11-years. Bright red poinsettia’s marked the spot where so much life and knowledge slept. A few flakes were coming down and a slight breeze ruffled the flowers……

Until tomorrow,
Essentially Esther