The time has come to take down the Christmas tree, every year we do this reluctantly because it seems like the house looks so bare when the decorations are down and because we realize that another year has past us by. As I am placing the ornaments into the box I realize just how lucky we are to be able to do this again, as saddened as I am to once again pack away our Christmas treasures I find myself smiling with a warm heart because once again we were able to celebrate together as a family. As far back as I can remember we have always celebrated Christmas as a family ( Grand Parents, Parents, Siblings, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and Friends ) it wasn't only about exchanging gifts, it was about sharing our stories and our lives, it was about laughing and crying, remembering the one's that we have lost and welcoming those who are new in our lives.
I have made it a point to buy one new ornament for each of my children every year and one day when they are out on their own they can hang them on their Christmas tree and with each one they will have a story, a memory to share with their children as the tree is being trimmed. Each ornament has the year inscribed on it to remind them of that particular Christmas and perhaps the inscriptions will spark a memory for them to share.
So to end this I will say, treasure your family, treasure your memories and the short time we have on this earth...yes another year is behind us but it's O.K.
