Trees of Christmas past

The golden years, the empty nest, retirement…whatever you choose to call the time of life beyond middle age…can be an amazingly freeing period of re-discovery and growth.  Embracing the reality in which you find yourself – holding on to value, letting go of what no longer works.  I found these words penned some time ago by Alexandra Stoddard, then writer-in residence at Victoria Magazine, to be both life-changing and life-affirming:

“Traditions that were once wonderful should not evolve into obligations.”

1985

1988

1991

1995

1998

Tradition for our family:  big tree, real tree, green tree, hung with all the children’s ornaments – hand-made and gathered……….

the children grew and left the nest; the tradition was becoming an obligation.

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Ornaments were passed to those whose small hands had made them and hung them year after year on the tree.

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last year – family heirloom spoons

this year – vintage salt cellars and shakers

Do I miss the tradition (and the small hands)???  Yes…in the core of my being………..however – borrowing from Dr. Seuss:

“Don’t cry because it’s over; smile because it happened.”