Saturday, December 5, 2009

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.
































19 comments:

Kathleen said...

Something tells me those children will never forget the lavish love poured out on them, AND their great-grandma in such a creative, yet humble act.

" ...when the giver is in the gift" really struck me (from your quote). I immediately thought of the Father, and how true is this quote with the giving of His Son.

What wonderful pics of the babes, too. No doubt your heart cannot contain the love they summon.

Blessings,
Kathleen

Bethany said...

love this post, Judy. and I love it when you are in the pictures. YOU ARE SOOOOO BEAUTIFUL!
This was such a precious gift for great grandma.
thank you for sharing
love ya
B

Alison said...

This post brought tears to my eyes...how blessed you are to be part of such a wonderful family!

Christine said...

Love, family, caring, tenderness and gifts of all kinds!
That is what this post is all about.
It also brought tears to my eyes.
Your family is beautiful in everyway!

Judy said...

I love it! How wonderful to bring the generations together...and to demonstrate the importance of giving...'when the giver is part of the gift'. Thanks for sharing your family with us.

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

This was the best Christmas post I have read! This is what the holidays are all about. Your family is just beautiful!
Penny

Shelley said...

Such a thoughtful and special gift for great grandma! I love hearing heartwarming stories like this. Your family is very special - and such a great example of what this time of year truly means!

P.S. I agree w/ Bethany - you are one BEAUTIFUL lady!!! :-)

Lovella ♥ said...

Oh Judy .. what a touching post. It is such a good reminder to be kind and thoughtful to those who will otherwise have a less than festive Christmas. The pictures are all so beautiful. You are such a beautiful grammie.

Dale said...

I love this post and the love it demonstrates, to the youngers and olders....

Melinda said...

A very nice gesture indeed!
I'm sure that Great-Grandmother is
really enjoying this cheerful tree.
Merry Christmas to her!

Melinda

LisaShaw said...

Oh Judy, this message is so beautiful -- photos and a beautiful time of giving and loving on each other.

This also makes me miss my Grand daughters all the more. Praying GOD will relocate them and their parents soon.

Love and blessings to you dear friend. I hope you received my Email response the other day.

I love and appreciate you.

Stacey said...

Judy that is such a sweet way to spend a day. :) Your little grandbabies will grow up to have wonderful memories and they will know how to care for others.

Kim@Seasons of My Heart said...

So very precious...so very thoughtful...and so very memorable! :-)

I SO love to stop by and read the GREAT things your amazing family does!

What a FUN day!!

a woman who is said...

What a wonderful day and idea for some one so special. We might have to steal this one too.

Teresa @ Grammy Girlfriend said...

What a wonderful idea....and a great post

Anonymous said...

Judy I love this so much ♥ What a truely heartfelt thing to do. What a wonderful day you must have had. I once had a tree that I asked all of my neices and nephews to decorate. It was so much fun! Then we all had our pictures taken in front of it. You brought back a wonderful memorie for me. Thanks you. The tree is beautiful ♥

Love Being A Nonny said...

Such a precious thing to do. As a Nonny, nothing would make me happier!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

What a wonderful thing for your SIL to do! The children look so happy making their garlands. I can see that the twins are getting big and they look so alert already.

This will be an act of love and kindness to be remembered every Christmas...a true gift of the heart. Priceless!

Kirsten said...

What a beautiful gesture. Thanks for sharing!

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