Pine cones, Rusty bells, broken snowmen, and one antler reindeer – what? Oh, the lessons we learn along the way. Let me share a story with you.  This year was the first time in the past 3 years we got a real Christmas tree.  Last year I thought I would be ‘special’ and bought a Holly Bush. It died, and man those thorns are sharp, lol! And the years before I think we used my daughters fiber optic mini tree. At that time we had cats and didn’t want to fight the battle with climbing kitties. So for the last three years we have been using some of the shatterproof plastic ornaments.  This year was different.

We moved and had to get rid of the cats. Sad, but true. Anyway, we got a real tree. So Ms. D took out the real ornaments – the glass ones that had been packed away for 4 years. I can’t believe I found the box!  The other night the kids and I were decorating the tree while Bob made his famous Spaghetti sauce.  I did the lights and pearls – and let the kids put the ornaments on.  We still have 2 High School children at home. As they took out and hung the ornaments I took one of those ‘Mom Moments’ to sit back and watch and listen.  I realize I only have 3 more years until they are out of the house and on their own. So we moms hold onto these times and cherish them in our hearts.

I thought it would be the ‘pretty’ ornaments that they would remember. But no – it was the ones that were ‘less than perfect’ that they remembered and talked about.

The Rusty Bell – from Elementary School when all the kids got to watch “Polar Express” at school. I was working at the kids school that year as we started our family over again that year. Me and the kids out on our own.

The One Legged Snowman and One Antlered Reindeer – That was bought from a gas station for $1.  I couldn’t afford a pricey ornament that year. It was a last minute thing on Dec 24th and I gave it to them at the gas pump – no wrapping required.

The Pine Cone – “Ornaments on a budget” as my son said. But they remember these ones. Through the trials, through the tribulations, lives the memory of love – no matter what the cost.

My life lessons learned that night:

1. Remember the simple things – they last.

2. Just because it’s broken doesn’t mean it doesn’t matter.

3. Cherish the moments. Hold these things in your heart.

“Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself.” (Luke 2:19 MSG)