In between seasons we would store our Christmas tree decorations in a large plastic box in a loft in our garage. That year I had been given a large glass snow globe that I carefully wrapped and placed in with the decorations. Well, during the change of seasons the water froze and expanded and the globe shattered. With the spring thaw the icy guts of the globe melted all over the tasteful ornaments, eventually molding them beyond recognition over the long, hot summer.
That December when I opened the box and discovered the green furry remnants of my decorations, a full range of feelings rushed through me: grief, repulsion, amusement - but the loudest and most surprising was relief. I was free. That weekend I took my young son with me and we ran around Ames, purchasing relatively inexpensive, brightly colored ornaments with no thought to theme. Since then, over the years the white lights have been replaced with colored ones, and the tree is every color of the rainbow, with his handmade ornaments looking right at home.
The Christmas tree is just one example of the many things in life that I have learned to let go of, to have fun with through my role as parent. That year I was reminded that Christmas is indeed a child’s holiday, and that, thankfully, it comes in colors other than mauve and cream. That was the greatest Christmas gift I’ve ever received… one that will not be forgotten.
Happy Holidays, gentle readers!
Article comments
1 - metal dad
Thanks so much for this wonderful article. My day starts off a bit better when I get to read one of your articles. Happy holidays to you and yours.
2 - High Heels
I really enjoyed this article. This year, I replaced my usual anxious draping of decor with giving my youngest children free range of the kitchen and a couple of packs of gummed coloured paper strips while I sat and read a book; the result is colourful, chaotic and fairly silly. We all love it. Merry Christmas.
3 - Patria
....hmmmm, so.. Who were the "other" two latinas?