Ornamental Emotions

Blogger: Michelle Ule

Location: At home

Decorations at my house fall into two categories: What I’ve acquired, and what I’ve been given. My favorite personal acquisition is a beautiful Willow Tree Creche. I like it so much, I left it up on top of the piano throughout 2010 just to appreciate it more. Many of you have one yourself, and so I know I’m in good company here. Rachel received one as a wedding gift and Wendy took a photo of her toddling grandson admiring the same creche at her house.

My college freshman daughter decided to deck our halls this Christmas for her annual Christmas cookie baking blast. She managed to post paper rings next to a crocheted greeting my grandmother made many years ago and I think the two look festive together.

I have a very clever sister-in-law whose wrapped gifts are decorations in themselves. Look at the snowman-themed presents under the tree this year!

The most important decorations for me, however, are the ornaments on the tree, and here I stumble in tears as they go up and when they come down.

My parents were world travelers and made it a habit to pick up Christmas ornaments for their children and  grandchildren as they visited new countries–118 nations in all before they died. My tree has characters and memories from all over the globe–from a Jackson Hole elk, to a Venetian doll, to a clown-like character from China. And I think of my parents with every ornament I place on the tree.

We also have ornaments the children made over the years–some involving photos, childish printing, and yarn contraptions of uncertain heritage. We have a fabric bell made by one of my first Bible study leaders, with my name embroidered on in her handwriting. Pipe cleaner candy canes twisted red and white hang on the low branches; the children loved to just throw them on the tree. The “cat angel” was one of my daughter’s first sewing projects.

We also have ornaments that represent who we are. You can see the Venetian girl, but beside her is an eagle–representing the fact all three of my sons are Eagle boy scouts. Our tree is also decorated with Angel Tree metal ornaments from Prison Fellowship, and little clips of the Christmas story children in my husband’s Sunday school class from long ago decorated in his honor.

Some people like a glamorous, themed tree–one of our CO wives back in Navy days once had a tree covered in Barbie dolls–but we go for tradition every year, savoring the memories and rich pine scent.

And when I sit in the twilight and watch the lights blink off and on, I remember people whom I love with grateful tears.

Merry Christmas 2010.