Christmas Tree

Last Sunday Nathan and I got a Christmas tree and put it up! It had been a few years since we had one. It’s got tiny white lights, and some plastic ornaments on it. I have not dug out the old ornaments yet, Nathan says he knows where the box is, so that will be this weekend’s project. The cats love the tree and have been climbing around in it. Doesn’t fash me. Let them play.

Looking at the tree reminded me strongly of my childhood. When I was little I used to imagine, a LOT. A lot a lot. I used to create stories in my head all the time. The Christmas tree was a giant play stage for me, and I would spend hours imagining stories about all the ornaments. I wish I still had that sense of wonder. Over the years my imagining kinda got tamped down. Guess it happens to most kids when they get older. Now that I am writing I am trying to re-awaken that sense of story and play. Christmas is a time when some of that wonder can touch us again, if we let it. I need you back, stories! Especially this year.

Nathan and I have decided to do the Icelandic tradition this year of gifting a book to each other, then spending Christmas Day reading. I’m looking forward to that. I hope Nathan likes the book I chose!

I cut out Christmas silhouettes out of construction paper and sent them to my folks and Nathan’s folks. I’ve been listening to Christmas music since… well, since Halloween. This year I really needed the Christmas booster shot for getting through the season. Don’t most of us?

It’s been a rough year. 2019 was a rough year for me… I remember being so grateful that it was finally over. 2020’s been just one thing after the other. I’m holding peace on 2021. Hopefully… there will be hope. I think we deserve some.