So this year it’ll be no Christmas tree, no Christmas lights. and Christmas dinner three days early because you can’t keep it that long. I just don’t have the strength this year. I could never get a tree through the door–not after 6 weeks in a hospital bed.
I have a feeling it’ll be very moving. Just Jesus. And family memories. Yeah, that’ll work. Next Christmas we can trot out the ornaments.
Meanwhile… What will our Elf on the Shelf do, still stuffed into the closet? Our Elf was always very careful not to involve our cats in any of his activities. “And you see how they reward me!” he snarls.
I guess I’ll have to leave a cookie on the table.
You could make a tabletop tree with ornaments — just a 2-D one, maybe backed with cardboard so it can stand up on a shelf or table against a wall — out of construction paper or any leftover gift wrap from previous years. Or just take last year’s ornaments and jumble them up in a basket or bowl and cut up some aluminum foil for tinsel or trim. Sometimes the little makeshifts become the best memories. (Like my mother’s and my hot dogs for Thanksgiving, which I think I’ve told you about.)
We do have a ceramic tree.
Ah, so you’re all set! Wonderful!
I’m about to go take a nap now. After cleaning up the church before Mass, I came home after Mass and did what should have been my Saturday house cleaning. (I didn’t do it yesterday because I had to take my car to the autocare shop right after Mass. The problem turned out to be easily fixed — at no charge! — but by the time I got home it was too late to start cleaning.) So I’m pretty tired and sore, and I think I’ll just stretch out with a good book and take it easy for the rest of the day. Maybe I’ll be back on line after dinner. Maybe not.
I’ll set up my own holiday decorations later this week — Christmas on Christmas eve, and Hanukkah on Christmas night, which is actually first candle time this year.
Patty and I are getting nowhere fast. I don’t have the strength to do anything, and she’s worn out.
We have had to cancel our traditional Christmas celebration this year due to illness. My wife is very sick with the flu. We hope to have something to do after Christmas as a celebration.
I’ll pray for her now.