As I undress the Christmas tree for yet another year, I realize that each ornament holds a very special place in my life.
Over the years, I have purchased gold-tone, brass ornaments from the many places my husband and I have traveled. The most, of course, were bought when we traveled cross-country five years ago. Each state ornament emphasized the specialness of its place in our country.
Some favorites include characters from “The Wizard of Oz,” Dorothy, the Tin Man, the Straw Man, and the Cowardly Lion (who shall be forever Bert Lahr in my mind) from Kansas; a bright, shiny moose from Maine, a gold-plated cardinal from Virginia, a bison from Montana and dinosaurs from the Rocky Mountain Museum.
Each holds memories of what we saw, the people we talked with and the importance of each state.
Christmas ornaments, whether gathered during a particular time or place, hold very special memories for nearly all of us who celebrate the holiday.
There’s the handmade tatted snowflakes created by an elderly friend who has now passed; the “gingerbread” felt ornaments bought at a church Christmas fair when I was a child; special ornaments family members, for example, a red fire engine my nephew bought for me when he visited Washington D.C.; another Bermuda ornament bought by another nephew when he and his wife honeymooned there; and, of course, the plaster-like ornaments and paper ornaments made in school by our children.
Among the most treasured are two 1950s vintage breakable ornaments that once belonged to my mom. Even they have a few holes in them, but they will always have a home on our yearly Christmas tree.
I think ornaments — particularly as we grow older — bring back more family memories than anything else from the Christmas season. Each was presented lovingly by family or gathered on special trips. Although I am looking forward to the impending new year, the last few days of the previous year always prompts not only memories of the past year, but also memories of simpler times.
Our Christmas tree, which has become smaller and smaller as I get older, will become a feeding station for the many cardinals, chickadees, blue jays, and other winter birds. Then, come spring, it will be placed on the compost pile.
As I packed up the last of the ornaments, I thought about the year ahead. What special events will happen? What sorrows will occur? How will each day unfold? Will I read my growing list of books? Will family and friends stay close? Will they be well?
While also being hopeful, the end of the year is always difficult for me. The secret, I think, is to concentrate on the good things that have happened, may happen or that we may cause to happen. Prayers for strength when a tragedy may occur, and thankfulness for another year that at times, may not have been great, but overall, brought more blessings than sorrows.
I hope everyone takes a little time on New Year’s Day to think of the year that just ended and the one to come.
Eileen Adams has been writing for 30 years. She is grateful for her readers and wishes them all well. She may be reached at petsplants@midmaine.com.
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