Trimming the tree thus far has been a three day process this year. Other than the fact that Andy helped choose it and set it up, it has been a solo process, so here are my thoughts as I string lights, ribbon, and hang only a handful of ornaments (literally few ornaments adorn the tree, and it still awaits a tree skirt)
1. Last year was so different. I had little to nothing to do with decorating the house. This year we are back to normal where the majority of the effort resides on me.
2. Last year was overwhelming and different, and I was sort of braced for the holiday ahead. This year, other than decorating and an initial impulse to shop, I can't seem to motivate myself to get to the shopping.
3. Last year the loss was fresh and raw but not all of the loss seemed permanent. This year it's very permanent, and holidays and family celebrations are forever altered. I've heard that it's hardest the second Christmas because you busy yourself so much for the first one. The second one is the one where you have to determine the new normal. Last year I did not realize I had lost twice, now I know.
4. While stringing lights, this amusing thought occurred to me. I remember many years ago when my sister Tiffany mentioned that Dad had given her a hard time about her ribbon garland for her tree. "Who does that?!" seemed to be his attitude. The irony -- I had been using ribbon garland on my tree, and he never seemed to note it as an oddity. That man never held back, so if he found it strange, he would have told me.
5. Our space has changed. The inheritance of some furniture has caused us to rearrange some rooms in our house including the one where we typically have our tree. We had to look for a tree that was not so full as a result. It's growing on me now, but oh how pitiful I found that tree to be when I first started trimming it! I kept telling myself there's nothing wrong with a Charlie Brown Christmas. After all Linus had it right when he recited the true meaning of Christmas. The tree is still concerning as it did not drink up the water on the first day as our trees of the past have done, so hopefully it makes it to Christmas. I usually start putting everything away on New Year's Day. I think our tree will have to go earlier this year. That's unfortunate since we got it up later this year.
6. It's an oddity this year that I am more concerned with outdoor decorations than indoor. I think I enjoy them more as I come and go throughout the holidays. We've never had outdoor lights, so we added some solar lights along the sidewalk this year. It never occurred to me before that I have a perfect place to string garland with our iron hand railing. I tried it this year and am pleased with the result.
7. I might be allergic to the tree - lots of sneezing while stringing lights -YIKES!
That's all my random thoughts for now. I think I have some ornaments to hang.
I added some ornaments and the tree skirt after typing this post. This is a sad tree, but we will either look back on it with endearment or laughter. Making memories here!
