New topper for the tree, a felted moose ornament, found in Ogden today. So, on the train back, I thought, why not put up both trees? I have enough ornaments, gathered over my lifetime and earlier. The small silk one we got while in Boston, ordered online a pair, and gave the other to a friend of Dylan's. Could even do themes. Not like color, but perhaps material?
And as I began, I sorted, not thinking too much, feeling my way to my choices. Until the Shiva tree held only old ornaments, those bequeathed, all from before my time, from elderly neighbor women leaving their decorations to the only family in the street with kids, from aunts, baubles that I have handled since childhood, a few my mother knew from childhood. A century and more, of christmases. With a hindu god on top. As we turn toward a more inclusive celebration, shining twinkly lights into dark corners. The turning, multicolored led in a lamp at the base, like Aunt Alma's silver tree.
The Moose tree, another silk, but found at a yard sale a couple of years ago, holds every ornament since. My lifetime, our christmases, Yules, Solstices. Festivus for the rest of us, but for the christians, too, if they want to join in. (They are welcome, so long as they behave.) This one is full of recent ornaments, our initials, the house, the lump of coal dug up from the back in a tiny decorative sack, gifts from work, a special bought one added each year for ourselves.
We did the crossword together in the train on the way up, challenging, but we got it solved.
5 comments:
Two trees with much history.
Most beliefs celebrate light in some way around now.
Sensible thing to do
light in the darkness is what this season is all about. lovely trees!
gz,
We try to be sensible in our silliness.
PC!
Hi!
Best kind of tree! Love it! My little 'Charlie Brown' tree is topped by an old turtle finger puppet.
Rou,
Oh, a finger puppet would be perfect. They are pretty trees, straight and green. Not professionally decorated, coordinated, or designed. These are authentic with decorative accretions, although not cut live. I've found I cannot tolerate pine/fir inside, my sinuses not happy. My parents stopped with live trees because the cost became prohibitive, and mom got a deal on a green plastic artificial one right after the holiday. My brother and I put it together until he left home, then I did it myself. I hear live trees are again VERY expensive.
I've gotten live trees a few times, but it's been mostly disappointing. So, once I got small silk trees, especially the more vertical rather than conical shape, I've been much happier. The trees have become much more than mere decoration. They are memory incarnate, crystalized souvenirs of our life.
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