They did a great job; we left the tree the way they did it.
I remember when my grandmother lost interest in having a Christmas tree. She gave up the real tree first and bought a seven foot, silver tree on which she put the old ornaments, without the lights. As she aged and began to lose her memory, my uncle replaced that tree with a small table top one. While my uncle was alive, Nan had a Christmas tree, even when she didn't remember what it was. She enjoyed it though and pointed it out when you visited.
Long after Nan was gone, my mother scaled down her Christmas tree too, from real to artificial at first. Then she had a table top tree which we coaxed her to use and decorate. She did so to please her family but she had lost interest in the festivities.
Now, I know too. When we put up the tree for the girls, I thought of the women in my family and finally, I understood how they felt. When I was encouraging Nan to decorate for Christmas, I was a child caught in the excitement of the season. "How can you not have a tree, Nan?"
With Mom, I was in the child-rearing phase of life, caught in the flurry of life and events we create for and celebrate with our children. Nan and Mom had done that same thing, in the way common for their prime of life. As they aged, they went along with the decorating because they were part of our family and wanted to please us.
Our tree has some of the ornaments from family Christmas trees of years gone by.
The ornaments have been passed along, wrapped with care and used on various trees over the years. They have no monetary value but they tell their own story about the circle of life. In that way, they are priceless.
One day, my daughter will understand too.
The women in my family
32 comments:
A lovely tree and a lovely baby. Perfect for the holidays and you are most lucky.
I love your thoughts on the Christmas tree! (And how sweet your granddaughters decorating...they did a beautiful job!) I remember when I was young. My grandma had a tabletop silver tree. I loved it! She was always sad and missing my grandpa and didn't feel like putting up the tree so we would go over and put it up for her and cheer her up! Good memories. Andrea
My artificial tree stayed in its cardboard box in the basement this year, because I am not hosting any Christmas get-togethers, and the only person who will get it out, carry it up the stairs, set it up, decorate it, and then have to put it all away again is .... ME! But I have lights of the tree outside and pretty lights on my mantlepiece and my Christams cards everywhere.... that's enough for me this year.
When I was a child we always had a real tree with candles on it! When we finally got elecricity installed, I remember the first string of Christmas lights my mother bought, I thought they were so beautiful!
What a beautiful tree, Marie! I am glad you have grandchildren to enjoy Christmas with, what a blessing!
We have to have artificial; I'm allergic to fresh pine. Every year I question when we will size down our living room tree, but it wasn't difficult this year. We each have a small foot and a half tree in our two office, and I have one at work too. Love xmas trees! Then again, the home looks so neat and clean when they come down in early January... ;)
The tree photos are lovely. The final photo is the most precious ornament of them all. Multi-generational love.
I wouldn't change a thing on the tree either Marie ... your granddaughters did an amazing job. I am in the last phase now and you've described it perfectly Marie. I love the music but the decorating has become a chore.
Your tree looks beautiful. My parents too gave up on Christmas trees too although just like your uncle we replaced it with a tiny one. Sarah x
I think their tree is perfect. It's good to keep the spirit and traditions alive.
Lovely tree, makes me think of home!
I had great female role models, Tabor.
Missing spouses was part of it for Nan and Mom too, Andrea.
I can't imagine candles on a real tree. Unimaginable today!
The girls are such a blessing, Connie!
I miss it when it's gone but I hate putting it up, SW.
I had wonderful women in my life, EC.
When the tree is done, I enjoy it, Ginnie. I hate the thought of doing it though, unlike years ago when I looked forward to decorating it.
Table top trees seem like a great option now, Sarah.
I like for the girls to know the traditions, Joanne. I think it gives them roots.
Christmas trees can elicit great memories for some of us, Celia.
Love that last picture.
This past summer I donated our big tree but kept the small one. I donated it because I didn't want to store something so big.
We only have a small, pre-lit tree now, but there are lots of other decs.
I love that lasicture too. It's the only one I have of the four generations!
Downsizing seems to be the way when it comes to Christmas trees as we age, AC.
We enjoyed everyone else's decorations, but we didn't put up any. I didn't miss them at all, but then again, there are no children around to care. Love your tree and little ones. Thanks for sharing them with me. And your decorations. :-)
Sad when the day comes and we must scale down. I love my little tree however.
I wouldn't miss the decorations but I like them when they are up, Jan.
I think it is a sign of transition in one's life, SS.
That was nice to read. It made me feel like the decisions I made to simplify this year were right (for me).
Do you miss the tree, Barbara? It must be strange at first, not having to decorate after a lifetime of doing it.
For the first time this year we understand too. Now that our daughter and grandchildren love in B.C., we had a very quiet peaceful Christmas. Still have the tree, but who knows?
It must have been quiet indeed without the grandchildren around, FG.
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