The day after our first time to host Thanksgiving Dinner and my Best Man is in the attic sending down Christmas decorations…the kids are mildly involved but mainly because they want a chance to climb the ladder into the attic.
Once engaged they were helpful, but when we had gotten both kids and all supplies down, Henrys desire and obligation to help any longer was fulfilled. My best was on to begin his post turkey day sports ball ritual(s) and my big bird was all on to get the holiday cheer spreading through our halls!
Since breakfast we had already had multiple conversations about “Grand(s)” [Granny, Grandpa, Grandma, Gran, Aunt, etc…] but with holiday decorations…all of my familial sentimentality is strewn about; and this year, [bittersweetly, the first year] it feels warm, wonderful, hopeful, delightful and exciting…
Padi, our greeter has finally been paired with his scarf! (I have had that pretty knitted yarn for years (at least 5) and it did not occur to me what it was or where it went until today!
I realized (last year) but formally this year that “the Best Worst gift” my Best Man gave me (6 years ago) is my most favorite beacon of the season to display…and frankly, if it holds up well through the season, I may not take it down….ever….
And Finally the real story that started this …
This Guy…I’ve always called this guy “the creepy elf”, that is until today when Birdie named him… This wired little fella was given to me [us] by my MomPatty (my exceptional step mother) some years ago and even though I have thought of him as creepy (with his giant hands, pointedly proportioned ears and broken nose) he has a sweet smile and pretty blue eyes that keep him in cue for decoration every year. So my decorating bird brings him out of his off holiday hibernation bag and is trying to sit him out on display and in doing so begins to disturb pictures (of her dearly departed Grandmothers)and knock things over. I rescue her and let her know that this is a mischievous little elf and she has to be careful and aware of where and how she is moving him about. She walks around the corner and as she comes back around she lets me know that his name is MJ because he is mischievous and apologized for the accident in disturbing the pictures.
She goes on to point out that MJ has mistletoe on his cap and without thinking…I respond with “He is mischievous with mistletoe on his cap, as it helps him steal kisses.”…
It was very light but relevant conversation (and morning as we got to a stopping point before the 11 am Kickoff of the Texas V. Baylor game) and yet another reminder of Gods provision, great love and sense of humor for me.
Can not wait to see what tomorrow brings, getting to put up the tree and decorate it…fun fact…All the ornaments that decorate our tree have been either a) handed down to us, 2)been crafted colored or created by/for us and C)gifted to us or to each other… Lots and lots of stories from lots and lots of ornaments!!!
