I just couldn't make this mono

I wanted to do the topic of change because I wanted to write about change. It seemed to take forever to do the tree this year. This morning I was ready to take it almost all apart and just put white starfish , lights, cranberry garland, and the gold shell stuff.
I changed my mind.

This afternoon I hung the pair of ballet toe shoes, that remind me of my niece Jenny, the picture of the snowmen that some of the kids bought for " Mimi and Papa", the bride doll that reminds me of Kelsey, my picture from the first grade, a glittered pine cone that one of the kids did... (Will maybe?) ornaments given by friends to commemorate special occasions or just to show I was loved. There are so many more that bring back memories. Some bittersweet, some sad, some really hysterical, and others that make me think about the eccentricities of family and friends.
I have 5 different kinds of icicles. They all bring back memories of when I bought them. A trip to Vermont, Quebec, Alabama .......all over, keeping those places alive in my memory.

My mom is ever present in this tree. Today my dad watched as I loaded each branch with two or three ornaments! We spoke of a lot of them. I added four of buildings in Portland today all facing him. He loved them. It's funny Mom's last year, I put all of her favorite ornaments facing her. The tree was a bit lopsided! I didn't care.

As it stands now, it makes me smile and makes me think, feel.......and want to celebrate the season however, I felt that something was missing.

Over the years I have gotten rid of some that well, for a lack of a better word, just plain pissed me off. I had a good friend that really betrayed me. I threw away every ornament she ever gave me. They represented a lack of trust that did not speak of the spirit of Christmas to me. Today I found one I missed. I looked at it and felt that pain, that sadness, and decided to change it into forgiveness and light. The silliness of the flamingo made me smile

So now it's time to get up and start a very long day today. Very long.......

And now I see that it is almost evening time down under so sweet dreams and good morning to the north.