(I played around with Sharpies and fabric)
Empty nest. Too pooped to really decorate for Christmas like I used to. The big, pre-lit Christmas tree of yesteryear died and got thrown out at the end of December last year. I've got years of holiday decorations from the primitive felt ornaments to the shiny glass, the traditional red and green to the more modern purples and lime greens. Rubbermaid tubs full of 30 years of memories that send me in to a slump rather than greet me with "hello there!" I went through the tubs and pulled a little from each one and scattered them around the house.
I found a little lit tree at Big Lots (yes, I love that place). It's about 71/2 feet tall, including the urn that it came in. The urn was a badly fauxed gold color so I spray painted it with a hammered black (old spray paint can found in the garage because I couldn't wait until the next day to go buy Oil Rubbed Bronze). It's not much, but it's decorated.
A few of the little Santas made their way out of the Rubbermaid tub.
I know it's really not about the decorating. The older I get, the more I realize that.
I guess we decorate to really engage in the holiday. To remind us every time we walk in a room, a store, an office that it's Christmas time.
While what we should immediately be reminded of is that little baby who was born...
who was sent to us from God to save us. The fulfillment of God's promise.
I've worked in retail the last 3 Christmas' and from what I gather, most people aren't really focused on that little detail about this time of year. Actually, that HUGE detail. Oh, I'm not pointing fingers... I'm guilty, too, of the list making, the gift buying, the accumulating of wrapping paper and pretty ribbon, the frenzy that comes from all of that.
But it's about that baby.
That little baby.
I'm working on that focus myself.
Heading in to this next week, I am grateful for another December in my life.
And I'm grateful ...
that all of my children will be home for at least 5 days together...
I will make the most of that little bit of time together...
that I was given the gift of a grandchild this year...this little boy has stolen my heart...
that Chuck and I celebrated 30 years of marriage this year...no little fete at all...
that it really is the little things that make us the happiest...
that God sent a savior in an unexpected way, in a little baby...
The greatest gift of all...HUGE.
But in a little package.
Have yourself a merry little Christmas.
Stay in the moment. Remember the reason.
Now breathe.
