Taking down the decorations...

This year it took us a while to put up our Advent/Christmas decorations given the death of a dear woman colleague and friend. It just didn't feel right - and besides we just didn't have the energy. About the middle of December I finally found a tree and put up the outdoor lights late one evening - they were beautiful - and we kept them bright until Epiphany.

And now the tree is down (and in the back yard), the garlands and decorations boxed and in the basement and the ornaments wrapped and stored away for another year. Looking at the ornaments as I took them off the tree reminded me of my story and so many parts of it:

+ there were ornaments from Los Angeles and San Francisco where the girls were born...
+ there was one remnant from the Farm Worker days...
+ there were a few home-made treats from NYC and Saginaw when the girls were small...
+ a few from trips to West Virginia...
+ a collection from my first trip to the former Soviet Union plus one from Sweeden, too...
+ a variety from the Southwest...
+ a great collection from London, Scotland and Montreal...
+ a small Christmas tree from El Salvador
+ some from Dianne's childhood...
+ and a new New England country doll ornament that evokes Appalachia

Taking these sweet images down was prayerful for me - time to reflect and remember - as well as say a blessing for those who have touched my life. I am grateful for this time today. Here is how Sara prays it...