Since our kids are grown and we have no grandchildren yet, I’ve been putting up just a 3-foot tree. Sometimes real, sometimes not. This year not. As I pulled out our rather sad little old fake tree I noticed my mom’s sadder little old fake tree. What should I do with that scraggly thing with the frayed needles? Mom wired small pinecones on it to “look natural.” Just like her to do something like that. Mom has been gone ten years now and her little tree pulled at my heart.
I put my tree on the end table by the window in our living room and put my mom’s tree on the floor in the corner by the TV and bookcase. My little tree has colored lights and some shiny German ornaments but on my mom’s tree I put a strand of red wooden beads that are supposed to be like strung berries. More natural, like the pinecones. I put a few of my oldest ornaments on it, some from my childhood and some wooden ones made by my mom’s friend years ago. I added a couple clusters of shiny fake berries – Mom would have approved. And just like that, I love that scraggly little tree. A Charlie Brown Christmas moment.
Merry Christmas! Wishing all a warm and safe holiday season and a new year of good health and many blessings!
moonbridgebooks 
I sure know what that feels like. I came across an old kitchen utensil of my late mother’s and cried. There’s a poignancy lingering around objects that speak of caring activity on the part of our mothers. May you have a blessed New Year.
Thank you for stopping by, Laurel, and sharing that experience. Yes, objects can bring precious memories, especially objects that were well used. Wishing you a blessed New Year also.