Its a new kind of start this year...2011

Christmas Morning always starts the same..The kids wake us up excited to get down stairs to see what is there. Who cares that Jon and I may have been up until 2 am making things right; putting dollhouses together, or bicycles. Making sure one last time there is something for everyone and that special gift is there for each. Well , OK we drag it out as long as they can bare by brewing ourselves coffee and preheating the oven for the brunch preparations.  I finish it off the same way, with this picture above. I have ones with the kids in every stage. Even when there was just two (we lived in an apartment with Tad when he was alone so no stairs to dwell on!)

This is the moment they waited for, to see that tree. So you are probably asking why is she rambling on about Christmas morning? It is the beginning of what will soon be a new year. Today was the end of that season. I said it was a different kind of year...and it is. For as many years as I can recall I have

dreaded taking the tree down. I even ignored it right into February one year. 2010 has been long and weird.

Very difficult for our family. Christmas was not. It is the first time in forever, I can remember the kids joy for the season and each other. I think in the past few rough years I have placed to much emphasis on the wrong things. I haven't let go enough. Well there were some very special elves in our lives this year and I was "forced" (really graced by them) to let it go. It was the best thing for me. It has changed my perspective and expectations for this year to come.

So instead of dreading taking the tree down I did it alone. I reflected on all the wonderful memories that reside in that tree. The funny ornaments and the hand made ones from the kids through out the years.

I thought about how many years I have been putting up a family tree..going on 20 years now.

Funnier still is that over the last 15 years I may not have hung a single ornament or taken the tree down myself. So the new year and the new me took it down. I remembered my blessings, gave thanks for the bit of grace in my life and steeled myself for the year ahead with its joys and its challenges alike.