We have had a lot of interesting Christmas tree's over the years. Do you remember that one tree that tossed off the ornaments when no one was looking? There was also "Ilean" who was so drunk all the time she couldn't stand up straight, and the very emotional tree that made you cry because it was the last one with all four kids living under the same roof.
Well this year with ALL we have going on we needed to choose wisely, we do not have time for all of those shenanigans.
Also this years tree would be very important. She/ He would be the only Christmas decoration we have as we shipped everything else to Italy already. The responsibility was large. Paige and I went a lone to choose. I think we needed the quiet to really think hard and meditate, feel the tree's ora.
I would like to introduce you to Maude, our Christmas tree. The tall blonde is Tori's room made who you might also like to meet - CeeCee!
Note: Its helpful to have a tall blonde around when doing jobs short brunette have a hard time with!
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| Paige is learning the ancient art of Popcorn and cranberry stringing |
Maude is perfect in every way, symmetrical , full, the perfect hight, and is actually drinking the water we are giving her to not loose her needles. I really think she knows we need to have a great Christmas without any tree antics and is willing to do her part!
Without any decorations we had to create our own, so borrowing a style from days of the past we strung popcorn and cranberries and everyone had a great time while we watched a movie (Except Seth- He didn't think it was fun or a good use of delicious popcorn) Our strings look so great on Maude, I think she has always wanted to be a very natural old fashioned tree!
We did haul all of our Christmas lights here for 2 reasons, 1) they won't plug in to the outlets in Italy 2) Logan needed the white ones for the wedding.
She very nicely went through the box of lights and dumped out the colored ones she didn't want to use. We were more than pleased to have them and to put them on Maude and be able to appreciate her Christmas glow. (as far as Christmas glows go our choice was her glow or the neighbors yard lights coming through our windows -and this seemed more "our own")
Thats when the Christmas miracle happened. At the bottom of the box of lights we brought over was a smallish brown box that we did not know what it was, or how it go there. We pulled it out and opened it up.
It was 3/4 of my nativity set - The most important pieces!
Maude wasn't the only Christmas decoration any more, or even the most important.
You would think this might make a tree jealous or miss behave for attention.
Not Maude- NO - She seemed to stand taller, and greener and her lights seems to glow stronger.
It was like she knew the little pieces placed on her skirt were significant and precious.
They were a gift that made her want to be more than she already was and to deserve the right to stand next to them.
It was almost as if she knew THIS was the reason the whole family would gather around her soon and share gifts of love and appreciation and these little statues represented the reason those gifts had so much meaning. I think she is happy to be gathered around by a loving family that knows the significance of the gift they received long ago of one small baby who was born the Savior of the world and the light and path for us to be able to be together forever.
May you find the gift that touches your heart this year and makes you want to be more than the amazing you already are.
Merry Christmas - Love The Strode Family
(and Maude)
