This week’s Fun Monday challenge is colorifically simple. Kaytabug asked to see our favorite Christmas tree ornaments (please be sure to follow her link to see all the participants this week).
Twenty years into a marriage that is three-deep with children, our tree is heavily laden with ornaments–glittered and glued by my babies, received as gifts through the years, or purchased half-price or less during post-Christmas shopping madness.
Surprisingly for someone who can’t make a decision but at least I’m not linking to a single ‘nother post I’ve written, for quite possibly the first time in forEVAH I knew exactly which ornaments I’d share: three hand-beaded-and-sequined treasures created by my mother when she was terminally ill with cancer; there are nine in all, and my brother and sister each have three as well.
I’m sure to those who see them hanging on my tree, they’re nothing particularly special–they look handmade and since they’re over 35 years old, mint condition is a thing of the past.
There are few things that bind me instantly to the memory of my mom–these fall into that category. Every year I imagine her making them for us…she was very sick for years (that long ago, treatment was bar
baric compared to today’s 🙁 ), so I wonder was it an effort for her to make them? a joy? Did her mother’s heart know–just KNOW–that she was sealing her touch in a glittered orb for me to delight in each year? That they’re the last ornaments I put away "this" year, so they’ll be the first ones I discover next? That my own children, grandchildren she’d never know, would know that she made them for us, and appreciate what they represent–the life who gave me life :).
These ornaments are so much more than decorations on a tree. They’re tangible reminders of a mother’s love that transcends time and overcomes the barrier of death’s separation…to bring joy and sweet remembrance and a richness to a season that celebrates life...God made man.
Merry, indeed :).
We have some that hubby’s mom made.
Maybe the next generation can enjoy them more – there are still so many hurts that she caused.
Both your ornaments and your post are truly beautiful. Merry Indeed!!!
All teary eyed here. This was a very beautiful post. I would think them lovely even if I didn’t know their story.
Arrggghhh! Curse you! I had a really tacky comment about those ornaments but you played the dead mother card! Stymied again!!
Great post Robin.
Those are lovely! They’d make great prizes (hint, hint).
…and that’s what christmas is all about, charlie brown.
very nice post, and very lovely ornaments. and those memories and that love is what christmas is all about.
(my sister died of breast cancer, too. and i can tell you this: making those ornaments was pure joy for your mom. i am sure of it.)
i re-read your post and it’s making me cry.
Lovely ornaments (I always think the loveliest are homemade), lovely memories, and a lovely tradition to pass on to your kids.
What a beautiful post and beautiful ornaments it must be wonderful to have something she made to treasure.
Merry Indeed.
They are so beautiful. What a lovely (if somewhat sad) memory to have on your tree each year.
You made me cry too. Those are beautiful ornaments, the very best kind are those with memories of the love of someone who made them. I have three crocheted stars that my step-mom made my children and she passed away last year. Merry Christmas to you and your family. I have collected Precious Moments ornaments through the years for our tree. I am narrowing my ornaments down to only things that I treasure each year. Of course, after 32 years it gets the tree covered. ;.D
Very beautiful post. I think the ornaments are quite lovely.
Beautiful – ornaments and story.
You just made me tear up. That is absolutely beautiful to have something on your tree with that much meaning.
What wonderful ornaments – just because they are full of memory.
Beautifully put.
I, too, teared up.
Lisa
Really wonderful ornaments! Thanks for sharing memories of your mother.
Very special. Sorry haven’t kept up with my poems. been busy. Maybe tomorrow!
Pamela, s i g h :/…it just shouldn’t ought to be….
Why thank you, Molly & Peter & Alix & Hulagirl & Kaycie & Lisa & Bren :D.
Kaytabug, well now, thank ya darlin’ :).
Willowtree, only you could get away with that comment and have me grinnin’ from ear to ear ;).
Min, you know there’s not a chance of that!
Laurie, you would know better than most, then 🙂 (hugs to you, too).
Sandy, Ooooo, I love the word “lovely”, so thank you times four!
Chris, true….
Junebug, time does that, no doubt. Precious Moments are so stinkin’ SWEET!
RC, I agree :).
Karmyn, aren’t those the BEST kind?
Kitten, I’ll be sending out email reminders eventually…hope you have time to join in!
Wow, just wow! What a great post. I lost my mom to cancer 34 years ago and you don’t know what I’d give to have such a precious thing made by her own hands to have today. This post hit me right in my gut. Thanks for sharing with us.
What a lovely post…although I hate it when you make me all teary eyed…
Awwwww, just beautiful.
I think you mom must’ve known how you’d come to treasure them. They are very beautiful,and I’m glad you shared them with your own family.
Beautiful. Sad, poignant, and beautiful. She’s there with you every year. That’s amazing.
That’s what Christmas is all about…
YOu made me cry, dang you! I keep seeing ways I can stay with my kids forever and wish I could bead now to pass to my kids before I’m gone. What will help them remember me?
Lovely decorations!
Yes very Merry! you write beautifully( gosh can it be used that way?)
I’m sure every moment spent on them was joyful. What a treasure you have.
These ornaments are very, very beautiful, Robin. Your mother had some extraordinary creative talent.
I feel very sad for your loss. Yes, we all have those places inside that know tremendous loss. Life is broken…
Ah, but it’s not forever!
:~D
Absolutely beautiful post. Your words are powerful here and I’m tearing up just reading the sweet memories and joy these ornaments bring. blessings on you and yours.
Robin – that was a truly lovely post. What a fantastic keepsake.
beautiful, robin. these ornaments are special indeed.
They are just loverly! I wish I had the patience to make something like that.
They are just loverly! I wish I had the patience to make something like that.
Those are so nice. It’s great that you can pull them out every year and the memories all come back. And they are quite pretty, too!
What special ornaments.
I made similar ones as a kid. They are still on my parents’ tree.
Beautiful post, but I’ve come to expect that from such a beautiful gal !
Blessings ~
Absolutely beatiful! My mother used to make them like this – with felt, and different colored sequins. Somehow, my “coordinated” ornaments don’t have the same precious touch as these (or hers). Thanks for sharing!
SS, wow…you’re welcome :/…how ’bout a few {{hugs}}, too?
Susan, oops! Sowry!
AFF, I’d like to think so…
Jo, thanks…:)
Sayre, y e a h…:)
Lisa, wow, what WILL they remember? Yikes! makes me a bit more deliberate in my actions when I consider that!
Jettied, thank you (and I think the answer to your question is yes).
Robinella, yep.
Thanks, e-mom :). And Ellen. And T.O.B. And Janet.
Karisma, ME, TOO!
Blue Momma, so true :).
Kila, you need those on your tree!
Awww, Kristy…thank you :).
Tiggerlane, yours were amazing! But thanks for your words here :).