tree trimming

The year Josh and I got married (2004), my grandpa passed away. My grandma passed only months later, perhaps most of all from a broken heart. She lived her life fully for my grandpa and I believe she just didn't feel needed or complete without him around. I was broken hearted at their passing and even more so that they wouldn't be there for me to hug on my wedding day.

I was given a few special pieces that were my grandmothers that mean a lot to me. A crystal vase, some silver pieces, and a Christmas ornament. The Christmas ornament was given to me by my Aunt Sheri on Christmas of 2005. She had gone through my grandparents collection and picked out a single ornament for each of us (my sisters and myself). She even took care to address them to each of us and sign my grandma's name as the gift giver. It was a really special thing to do, I thought, and I can remember how it felt to look down at the tag that read "to: Miss Sara from: Grandma" knowing it had been months since her passing.

Sheri tried to pick an ornament she knew each of us would love, and mine was no exception. I received this beautiful wooden Santa, who to me looks a little Swedish in design. It reminds me of my grandparents each year when I decorate the tree and it always receives a place of honor near the top of the tree.

I hope when each of you get to your tree trimming this year, you conjure sweet memories of your Christmas's past, and hang the ornaments that have special meaning to you near the tops of your trees.

I wanted to add this reply from my Aunt Sheri, so it would share a little bit more about my grandparents and how special they are to us.

"Oh my gosh, so very sweet--this time of year always brings to mind your grandparents...how your Grandma would be counting the moments till she could decorate (I think a few seconds after the Thanksgiving turkey was put away?), Robert doing the lights, unwrapping each ornament, each with a story, your Grandma always filling in with the red glass balls and hanging the itty bitty ornaments at the top of the tree...your Grandpa complaining that Harry Connick, Jr. was no Frank Sinatra, breaking out the Glenn Miller Orchestra C'mas cd....  Holidays always remind me so much of them and of how much they loved them."

Comments

[Denise]

After reading this post yesterday morning and then watching Oprah (Having one more day with the ones you love/lost) in the afternoon, it made me really appreciate the little things in life...I know Grandpa & Grandma look down and they are proud of all we have accomplished...Grandma would be thrilled at your success with your home Sara and Grandpa would love the fact that we married men who LOVE the pickeled products and beer like he did! Thanks for helping me remember how special they were...Love you...

[shelbi]

your story touched me. we just lost our sweet grandpa this last april, and now grandma is not doing so well. they were married 61 yrs...and like your grandma, she lived to exist for him. I think above any other heirloom, christmas ornaments are the most special of all.

thank you for sharing your sweet story, i found you via 'joy's' beautiful blog, and i love your designs. i am off to visit more of your very cool shop full of such pretty things.

hugs
shelbi

[Gail]

I love your post about this ornament...I could relate. My sister who is no longer with us, gave me a ornament from this same series the Christmas before she passed, I will treasure it always! hugs, Gail

[Joy]

I lost my dear Grandmother right before I got married too Sara, I could feel her there though on that day.

What a lovely ornament to remember your Grandmother, a treasured heirloom for sure.

[hoganfe handbags]

Oh thanks so much for sharing your memory!
Mary

[M&Co]

That is so wonderful! I have saved my grandmothers Christmas ornaments as well, and for me they are priceless. Hanging them on my tree makes me think about my wonderful grandparents, and feeling that in some way they*re still here with us :-)

[Linda]

What a lovely memory to share...I agree with you wholeheartedly: I choose ornaments for the feelings they bring out in me, or because they remind me of a stage in my life, or my husband or children's lives. I have a memory attached to nearly every ornament. It makes trimming the tree all the more special...
Your grandparents and aunt sound like lovely people.

[sandi @ the whistlestop cafe]

Christmas traditions will last forever.
Precious memories!