New Years Day

           I remember taking down the tree on New Year’s Day each year.  It became tradition I would suppose for many families.  And gosh, darn, I will definitely miss the lights and decorations that had popped up in so many yards even before Thanksgiving.  The Myrtle Creek – Tri City area is always so dark.  It is nice to have the Christmas lights to remove some of the darkness.

          On New Year’s Day this year I read a couple of thoughts which helped ease the pain of this tradition that I have come to hate.  David Butler has a facebook page in which he shares uplifting thoughts.  On New Year’s Day he compared taking down the tree to the first Christmas – perhaps a week after the fact – when Joseph and Mary had to leave the manger and move on.  They could not stay where they were nor could they take the manger with them.  And why would they want to?  It wasn’t really a bed – a crib fit for a king.  And yet that is what it became.  The manger is a symbol.  The tree is a symbol.  Decorations.  They all have symbolic meaning.  And just because they are removed visually  does not mean we can’t still continue to hold them in our hearts.

          Meanwhile Corey has started a new blog.  Unlike his first blog in which he wished to remain unknown he uses his actual first name.  His goal is to provide uplifting messages.  I am certain he will be successful at it.  He mostly always lifts me up.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candlepower

         He and Joh happened to be married on New Year’s Day. In his post he comments on spending their anniversary together and inviting another to attend a concert with them.  In his post he makes the comment that some think it is odd that they would invite another to celebrate their anniversary. His response “ . . .  seeing his eyes light up and seeing his spirit lifted is very joyous to us, and shouldn't that be what life is about--lifting others and making them feel good?”

          I admire my brother and so many others as David Butler and Emily Freeman for sharing their light. Thus even in darkness we can carry a light in our hearts.  May I keep that in mind with every new year I start by taking down the tree.

Only One Pickle per Tree

           I vaguely remember having a “Christmas Pickles” on our tree.  At least I think I do. I don’t even know where it came from or why it was there.  We obviously didn’t know its tradition as it was never hidden.  Tradition says the pickle is “hidden” to bring good luck to the finder.  We never hid the pickle.  

         I don’t remember hiding any ornaments intentionally.  Many times the fuller trees seemed to swallow up ornaments that had been pushed into the tree which is why I prefer Charlie Brown trees.  Every ornament can be seen on a Charlie Brown tree and none get lost.

          There is speculation about the Christmas pickle – or legends. Lost truths.  Invented stories perhaps.  It’s kind of a fun idea.  A little bizarre.  I mean a pickle? Not an item I have associated with Christmas.  But I am all for welcoming other cultures and traditions to cross my path.  I enjoy the diversity.

Gratitude Now and Then

Although many remain the same, I think I provided more detail with some of my 2020 answers.  Though I am grateful for the camera (#2) this year I put air conditioners and electric fans which I am grateful for when I’m hot.

Of course my favorite memory, story and song change on a weekly basis.  One memory I shared this year was about my niece which is the last story I shared in this post in 2012.  

This is what I had posted to facebook this year:

What is your favorite memory? I have so many great memories. I recently thought about this one as I had come across the word “amphitheatre” and was reminded of a time I had gone with my family to see a Desert Star performance at a Murray amphitheatre and my niece Candace (who I think may have been four or five at the time) had dressed up like people did in days of yore. Candace’s favorite video at that time was “Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” – anyway, during the performance there was a snag on “Forever Joseph” which was a parody combining “Forever Plaid” with “Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”. Candace watched the performance in disbelief as she was quite certain the cast members were doing it wrong. Makes me laugh each time I think about it.

I do like the Christmas song Cannon I don't know that it's my favorite.

My favorite abilities in 2019 were to be able to write and create.  This year was:

although I don't have the same sprint as I did as a youth, I am grateful to be able to walk. I am grateful for the technology behind glasses and hearing aids which help able me to see and hear. Though my mind doesn't seem to process things very quickly, I am grateful that I haven't completely lost it.

In 2019 I referred to my favorite Christmas traditions while this year I turned to Thanksgiving:

What is your favorite tradition? Spending Thanksgiving with a new set of people each year. Most of our Thanksgivings in Oregon have been quite small. Two years ago there were five of us. Last year we had four. This year we will have three. I usually enjoy groups that are 8 - 12. I think we are just doing pizza for Thanksgiving this year. And that's okay. I like diversity.  I also enjoy playing games after Thanksgiving dinner which we have done almost every year.

I changed my challenge – being tried in a different way.  I referred to the elections and the gratitude I felt the other day when Joe Biden introduced a new group of people appointed to various positions.  It is a sign of this nation beginning to heal.  We definitely need that.  Good-bye Baby Trump.

My favorite expression last year I said was gratitude.  This year I said smiles.  So missing expressions behind the mask.

Four more to go.  But this list brings us current to today.