Decorating Her Tree

It was one of those thoughtful gestures that seems to me, to be what this Christmas season is all about. My dear sister-in-law, knowing that my MIL would not be having a tree this year in her small retirement home apartment, decided to change that. She provided a small tree, then organized a party with all of the great-grandchildren, requesting that they(with the watchful eye of their parents) make oraments with their pictures on, to decorate her tree. This was a huge undertaking in my mind...three mothers, one aunt, two grandmothers, ten great-grandchildren, and their great-grandma, all in one small apartment at the retirement home. I was surprised at the peacefulness of the event, at least during the first part of the party.

My SIL is a skilled, creative, organized party planner and it all worked so well. At the dining room table, she had lots of twine, bowls of Fruit Loops, and her loving supervision. They would create garlands for the tree. Oh, so seriously they took on this challenge.

String one...eat one...string one...eat one...this was a fun party.


On one side of the table, the garlands were taking shape, and these guys were so happy with their success.





Being younger in age, it took a while to catch on at this side of the table, but once that happened the garland was created.


Watching from the sofa, was this beautiful, busy mother with her own work cut out for her. She had helped supervise the creating of the children's photo ornaments the evening before. I don't know how she gets so much accomplished.
I think this is a precious picture of Christmas joy around a dining room table.

My SIL provided a snack for this party, and let me tell you it was not an ordinary snack. She purchased these amazing, freshly baked homemade donuts from a farm close to her home. The taste of them took me back to my childhood, when my mother and my aunt would get together once a year, and bake wonderful homemade donuts. What special memories. I have not tasted donuts like theirs for many years..until this morning. Yes, she also provided coffee and chocolate milk for all of us.
One aspect of my morning during this party, and I was thrilled.



The tree was completed, and the joy from these little guys is so obvious. Reminds me of a quote I read recently, "The greatest good of every giving is--when the giver is in the gift." ~George MacDonald.

Now Great-Grandma will have a tree this Christmas, and she already told the children that she will show it to all her friends...her tree filled with pictured ornaments of all her great-grandchildren and the Fruit Loop garlands.

In my SIL's continued thoughtfulness, she also included five little wooden angel ornaments to represent the five little ones from this family, who never made it into this world, but are remembered. What a kind gesture.

One simple way of spreading Christmas joy from our family to yours.