……….EGGS and HEARTS were other types of ornaments we collected….Then there were just the ones that caught our eye like the shoulder and the mermaid……There are at least 150 ICICLES of all shapes sizes and colors hanging all over the tree. They take the place of tinsel!………CONTINUE TO NEXT PAGE FOR MORE ORNAMENT PHOTOS
Louis,
Your ornaments are just lovely as are your memories. Christmas trees are actually time capsules that we open each year. When I was married in November of 1966, my husband and I had nothing for our first Christmas tree. We bought a few ornaments that first year, but I promised myself that my future children would not have to start from scratch on their own trees. Every year I purchased a special ornament for each of my children and one or two for my tree. Just like you and Jac, we always picked up something for the tree when we traveled. I marked each of the ornaments with the date and kept a small card tucked in with the ornament explaining it’s origin and the reason it was selected. When my children started a home, I gifted each of them with the collection of ornaments that had been purchased for them and a few that we had on our family tree. It brings me such joy when I visit my children during the holidays and see their trees decorated with the ornaments from our original family tree. I’m also pleased when the grandchildren point out ornaments and say things like “that was my Dad’s first ornament” or Mom got this ornament when she started driving.” This is our first Christmas without my husband and I thought of him as I hung the red bird with a resplendent tail that we purchased for our first tree. I’m so thankful for my memories.
Dear Donna….we weren’t as dedicated as you making small cards and putting them with each ornament. It must have taken a long time putting them away making sure the right ornament was with the right memory card!……Our memories are all we have now……they are bitter sweet