Christmas Day 2012 has dawned bright, sunny, and crispy cold. The sky is bright blue, the breeze has a bite, and thanks to a storm last week, we have plenty of snow. A typical Wisconsin Christmas.
I put up a tree this year. It's always a project and I admit that some years, I pass on it. It's a nine footer, artificial, and requires two days and two ladders to get fully assembled, lit, and decorated. There are always frustrations involved, primarily with the lights that never seem to work the following year. But when it's finally done, I'm always happy that I did it.
I've always been fascinated with the Christmas tree. I can gaze at it for hours. I love the lights, the colors, the sheer fantasy and magic of it. We tried LED lights once but they just don't have the warm magical glow of the regular kind.
Some of our ornaments have a special meaning, most are just there
because I like them. Our tree never has a theme, it's an eclectic mix, a
little of everything, a lot like our lives. I've inherited several
ornaments from family members who've passed away that bring back
memories.
A very special one of these old ornaments is a battered little Santa
Clause made of Styrofoam, construction paper, and cotton. A child's
project, one of those things that they make in Sunday School or
kindergarten to give to their moms. This one was made by my late
brother when he was very young, in the early 1960's. It's been on my
mother's Christmas tree every year until she died in 2011. Now it's on
mine. Santa is faded, yellowed, and fragile, but he still survives and
helps keep the memories alive.Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy, and
successful New Year. Enjoy and cherish your families, love one another,
and keep the spirit of Christmas in your hearts all year long!
© 2012 Vicki DeGruy, all rights reserved.
Technical data: Canon 5D MkII, ISO 320, 50mm, f/6.3, 1 second
More Christmas tree photos are in my gallery: http://degruy.zenfolio.com/p38921594
