By Margo Henderson

I have a special box of Christmas decorations that have so much meaning for me. They are more than decorations. They are heartfelt memories of people I love. I look forward to seeing them every year. I get emotional just hanging them in their place.

We play Christmas music to set the tone for hanging them on the tree. Some of the ornaments are over 50 years old. Some are expensive but most of them are funny and remind me of people or places where memories were made.

A few of the memories are:

Our first year of marriage (53 years ago!)

Children’s thumbprints on construction paper

A watermelon (for my dad) He had a thing for watermelon and ate it as dessert.

A pickle (for my mother) She ate a pickle every day until she died. If you forgot it, she would

make you get her one-even if you had to ask a neighbor.

A cello ornament from my Jewish friend.

A guy on a bike with a yellow shirt (from a friend who rides with my husband)

Cross stitched ornaments I made when we didn’t have any money and wanted to fill in the tree.

Nativity scenes from many countries, including a polar bear nativity from Alaska.

Each ornament has a story and a person connected to it. I think about them each year and bless every fun memory that comes with them. They are a gift, hanging in plain sight for me to consider them and the dear people they represent. I give thanks for God for the gift of remembrance through these small trinkets. They are a private treasure of people and places I hold dear to my heart..

As you enjoy this season, may you reflect and give thanks for all the little things you see and cherish them as a gift from God.