Busy days, elephant friends and Ian, the tree with excellent posture

It takes me a long time to hang my Christmas ornaments because each one tells a story.

There’s the garlic ornament that connects me to my dad’s hometown in Colver, Pennsylvania. My friend Nick made me that ornament and I think about him each time I hang it. Nick’s a retired coal miner who sends me garlic bulbs every year from the impressive rows he cultivates. I love that ornament.

With each football, basketball, band instrument, ballerina or theatre ornament I hang, I get to picture the kid who gave those activities a whirl. What a joy it’s been to be their mother!

Some of the ornaments commemorate family trips and I definitely smile when I hang those.

I love the antique ornament from my grandparent’s tree, and the blue penguin from the year my daughter Molly wanted a penguin birthday party, the Packer Super Bowl ornament, and the one my daughter in-law Tara gave me that celebrates this blog.

This year, I took a little extra time to hang the elephant ornament my friend Jill gave me and the rest of our friends. We have been each other’s herd through all the seasons of our lives and I treasure them and all of my elephant friends. As I find myself working my way through a really busy time in my life, I’m grateful for the support they offer. It’s both patient and fierce and I hope they know I offer it in return.

Our Christmas tree came with a name tag this year. So, I’d also like to thank the tall and handsome Ian for maintaining his dignity (and therefore ours) while we shoved him in the stand. Ian has better posture than anyone else in the house and he doesn’t seem to mind the happy hodgepodge of holiday strewn about his boughs. Ian sheds neither needles nor tears (though he is a rather sappy fellow).

He didn’t even flinch when I had to give him a last minute trim. I had to cut around the lights I’d already hung on him, and I may have let loose a foul word or two as I dangled from a kitchen chair with the saw I’d snatched from the garage. It wasn’t a very professional buzz cut, so I think he was glad for the angel that eventually covered the mess.

Ian’s looking at me now, as I write this post. A couple of his lights are twinkling.

Welcome home, Ian. I can’t wait for you to meet the rest of the family. It’s going to get even busier here soon.

You’ll see.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year.