My tree story ( a former Christmas tree) For You! It was probably 1975. I had helped put up the Christmas tree in the liviving room, and decorate it on Christmas break from college. We had our Christmas stuff, and then it was May and I was home for the summer. My dad was in the VA hospital, and my mom was coping with her husband who was terminally ill. She was describing to me about her excitement of hearing the spring sounds of the birds, and how clearly she could hear them. Shift to my walking into the living room following the cold air coming into the house from an open window. There stands the nearly needle less tree, with the start of a bird’s nest in it. At the time I was incredulous, further along it became hilarious, but now at 70- this could be me! I now can give my mom grace for it, she had so much to cope with, and no empathy from me. Amazing what 50 yrs life experience can do for understanding. Cheers!
What a story! A ruined tree is not ruined for everyone! And grace given late is still grace. Being able to see your mother's grief all these years later means so much. The needleless tree, the open window, the nest, the death... it feels like the making of a fable.
I’ll thank the six fishes for this lovely Christmas story, Rachel. It makes me reflect that although my own life is rich in experiences and memories, it is bereft of traditions. Christmas or Chanukkah. Nor Thanksgiving. It’s just not in my family’s DNA. I don’t think I’ve ever repeated activities from one event one year to the next. And now that I think about it, the hardest thing for me to do in any given mosaic project is to repeat a pattern. Maybe I need mosaic therapy! Merry Christmas, dear Rachel, and may you bubble with good energy in the coming year.
Merry Christmas, Rachael and family. Today we start a new tradition lasagna for dinner. I also decided to use it as gifts so 10 boxes of noodles later we will only eat three boxes for dinner today of 18.
Loved this story and what sparked you to write about it (7 minus 1 fishes!). BTW, I, too, examine hairstyles to date family photos. Enjoy the rest of the beautiful season!
My tree story ( a former Christmas tree) For You! It was probably 1975. I had helped put up the Christmas tree in the liviving room, and decorate it on Christmas break from college. We had our Christmas stuff, and then it was May and I was home for the summer. My dad was in the VA hospital, and my mom was coping with her husband who was terminally ill. She was describing to me about her excitement of hearing the spring sounds of the birds, and how clearly she could hear them. Shift to my walking into the living room following the cold air coming into the house from an open window. There stands the nearly needle less tree, with the start of a bird’s nest in it. At the time I was incredulous, further along it became hilarious, but now at 70- this could be me! I now can give my mom grace for it, she had so much to cope with, and no empathy from me. Amazing what 50 yrs life experience can do for understanding. Cheers!
What a story! A ruined tree is not ruined for everyone! And grace given late is still grace. Being able to see your mother's grief all these years later means so much. The needleless tree, the open window, the nest, the death... it feels like the making of a fable.
Bless you for sharing your great story and especially for the wisdom you have gained along your way.♥️
Merry Christmas to you and your family dear Rachel....and to dear Erica too!xo
I’ll thank the six fishes for this lovely Christmas story, Rachel. It makes me reflect that although my own life is rich in experiences and memories, it is bereft of traditions. Christmas or Chanukkah. Nor Thanksgiving. It’s just not in my family’s DNA. I don’t think I’ve ever repeated activities from one event one year to the next. And now that I think about it, the hardest thing for me to do in any given mosaic project is to repeat a pattern. Maybe I need mosaic therapy! Merry Christmas, dear Rachel, and may you bubble with good energy in the coming year.
Is it never too late to start your own? Maybe an small, annual mosaic made in the same pattern, gifted to a different person each year?
Thank you, Laura. Your little deer pattern at The Ruins is still leaping through his cave.
Love the story of the raining Christmas tree. Makes me think of the Ice Palace by Norwegian writer Tarjei Vesaas.
Thank-you for bringing back one of our especially amazing Christmas memories. It made my heart glow.🎄🥰
❤️ Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas, Rachael and family. Today we start a new tradition lasagna for dinner. I also decided to use it as gifts so 10 boxes of noodles later we will only eat three boxes for dinner today of 18.
I love it! Everyone loves lasagna!
Loved this story and what sparked you to write about it (7 minus 1 fishes!). BTW, I, too, examine hairstyles to date family photos. Enjoy the rest of the beautiful season!