December is a time for memories

We had a light dusting of snow overnight and walking Ella this morning it was quiet and with the winter light a good time to just let my mind wander and reflect.  Lots of memories come to mind in December.  As I unwrap ornaments to hang on the tree, I remember most of the stories behind the ornaments. A few years ago I downsized the size of my Christmas tree, so I separated my ornaments into those that were mine and I had memories for and fit on the smaller tree, versus those that I had acquired, but came with my Mother and weren't really my ornaments.  Some were familiar from my childhood, but many were not.  So I labeled the boxes and one box contained all the ornaments that fit on my smaller tree and I wanted to keep. The other box was for ornaments I no longer hung.   I was unpacking Christmas decorations in stages this year and even though I carefully mark boxes with what each contains, I couldn't find one particular decoration.  This decoration always hangs on my light fixture over my dining room table.  The memory it holds is that it came from my two sister-in-laws, Bev and Susie.  We lost Susie some time ago in December.  But every time I hang the decoration she gave me, I remember my last interaction with her.  We were setting up her new Kindle at my dining room table and she was so happy.  It still is a very happy memory.  

I did a lot more sorting and separating into "keep" and "discard" boxes this year in my search for the missing decoration.    I had a conversation last month with Mary, who cuts my hair, and she let me know that she was putting up her first Christmas tree as she had moved into a larger apartment.  However, she didn't have any ornaments.  I told her I could help solve that problem as I had too many and would gladly like to see them go to a new home.  So yesterday I took a box of ornaments, all in good condition, to Mary at work and what made me even happier was that she told me she had been looking forward to receiving them.  I hope they will now be the basis for her own happy memories as she decorates her tree this year and for years to come.  

As for the missing decoration, I found it in the last box I opened.  It always brings a smile and it is now right where it belongs over the dining room table.  Ready to greet my next guests during this holiday month.  As you prepare for the holidays, may you unwrap some happy memories of your own that bring you joy.