COLE’S TREE!
Our paper plate picture frames…this one is of Mommy and Daddy.
This is Grammy’s favorite pic. Does this not epitomize Christmas?
Sometimes, it takes another person in your life to make you see things clearly. This was the case over the past few weeks. While I was sick, I was becoming more and more depressed over not being able to prepare my home as I felt it should be this time of year. I was particularly stressed that the house was not being “decorated” for the baby. In my mind, I had conjured images if what the perfect Christmas would be for him while he lived with us. I was trying to make up for the fact that his Mommy and Daddy were in Iraq for the second Christmas in a row. I was so stressed that even my dear family came over one night and put up my tree. In my mind though, it wasn’t enough.
I felt as if I were letting Cole down.
Well, after reading about my prolonged “pity-party” rant, my dear friend (KD at Southern Whimsey http://southernwhimsey.blogspot.com/)
very gently reminded me that Cole did not see Christmas as I did. Nor would he appreciate Christmas as I imagined it for him. She was right!
I had to vision Christmas through the eyes of a little boy
almost 3 years old.
So down came the fancy ornaments and glass balls and designer decorations. They went back into the storage containers until next year. All day Sunday afternoon, Cole and Grandpa and I sat down at the kitchen table with construction paper, glue sticks, cotton balls, paper plates and all kinds of crafty items. We constructed paper chain garlands, cotton ball “snowflakes” and cut out pics of Cole’s Mommy and Daddy and family members and glued them onto paper plate “frames.” After dinner and a bath, we decorated the tree.
I did not care that he hung two candy canes right next to each other –
did not matter.
I did not care that there was an empty space because he wanted the paper gingerbread man hung in one place rather than another –
did not matter.
I was almost brought to tears seeing this child, my only grandchild – decorate “Cole’s Tree.” He is so proud of his tree. We took lots of pics to email to Mommy and Daddy in Iraq.
Every night, we have a ritual where Cole turns on the lights, and every night it’s like he is seeing it for the first time as he jumps
up and down with joy.
So, I wanted you to see what a self-professed decorating nut has happily been reduced to -all because of the innocence of a child – and because a dear friend reminded me that Christmas really is for children. My hope for you this Holiday Season is that you rediscover the joys of Christmas as if you were seeing it through the eyes of a child. May you never forget the spirit of the season and that the child who lay in a manger in a land so far away – under that bright, guiding star thousands of years ago –
is the true reason we celebrate.
Not the gifts, not the decorations, not even family traditions we
feel so beholden to.
I wish this for you…. in God’s Love.
Cole’s very own “big boy” scissors.
(They would hardly cut through butter but he didn’t care!) 🙂
Making cotton ball snowflakes is hard work, especially when you feel like the glue stick needs to be “tasted” every now and then.
Every artist-in-training needs special tools of the trade.
These crayons work just fine for “special” art projects.
Cracker time! Crafting takes lots of energy –
gotta cram in those carbs!
Gotta hang the ornaments with care. This spots looks like a good one!
This looks like a good spot for a candy cane.
A lift from Grandpa to get to the top of the tree.
(Grandpa says these are the only candy canes which will
survive uneaten for more than two days!) 😉
Our paper plate picture frames…this one is of Mommy and Daddy.
This is Grammy’s favorite pic. Does this not epitomize Christmas?
Riding “Black Beauty” in front of the tree…
Decorating trees sure is hard work!
Thanks for letting a Grammy share her special day….
Blessings, Barb
mishebe says
Great job Cole. Now this was a special tree time. Makes me have tears in my eyes. mishelle
View Commentmbkatc230 says
Barb this truly is the most gorgeous tree I’ve ever seen. Your precious Cole is adorable. Thanks for the reminder of what this season is truly about. Hugs, Kathy
View CommentMelissa Miller says
Oh Barb I am tearing up again! I read this on your Micasa post and cried then too. It’s a very wonderful thing you all did together as a family. Can’t wait to meet you and hopefully Cole too. ~Melissa 🙂
View Commentprofenretraite says
Oh Barb…What a special tree! I know it will truly turn out to be your all-time favorite and Cole will never forget his special Christmas at his Grammy’s house! Loved it!…Debbie
View CommentGollum says
What a memory maker this will be. Cole is a cutie!
View CommentTess says
Fantastic job Cole..!! Your Christmas tree is absolutely gorgeous. I love it.
View Commentmarty39 says
Barb, you are such a special person, and Cole is so lucky to have you as his grammy. I do agree that this is the most perfect tree I have ever seen. I just know our Lord also looks at it with great joy and love. Thanks for reminding us of the most special meaning of Christmas. Love you , Hugs, Marty
View CommentLdyDy Loves Cake says
I too have a grandson (4 1/2)who lives with me(Gammy),Papa, his mommy and auntie. I can relate to stopping what I think is important and just getting down to the way he sees the world. I treasure every moment. I truly wish your little Cole, his parents and you his Grammy and Papa a blessed Christmas. The tree is beautiful…
View Commentmeldin says
This, my friend, is what it’s all about! It truly is the bestest tree ever. Bravo!!!
View CommentKD says
Barb, I love this very special tree. So special because it is straight from the heart. I loved reading how Cole dances with glee each time he turns on the lights. After a really cruddy two weeks (plus our not so Christmasy weather here in NC) I too needed a reminder of what is important. SO although I may have slapped you on the noggin, reading and seeing these pictures has certainly smacked me right back my friend 🙂 So tonight when the house is quiet you will find me sitting in a dark room with the Christmas tree aglow cherishing what I have and what I have lost and gained in our Lords great plan for ME! Continued blessings to you and yours, especially that precious lamb you have been given in his great plan for you.
View Comment~KD
tardevil says
So sweet! He’ll never forget that tree, I’d bet! Did he make Santa plates w/ cotton balls too? Wish his mommy & daddy could spend Christmas with him, but I’m sure he’s in good hands! ;O)
View CommentRobin says
Barb, I just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Cole’s tree! How special! I literally started crying when I saw this post!
View CommentJoyNtheJourney says
Thanks for sharing this with us. You have certainly been blessed with such an adorable little man to spend Christmas with. I know his mom and dad must be thankful to know he is in such good hands. Please thank them both for all they are doing for each and every one of us and for all the sacrifices they make each day. Being away from that little fella has to be the hardest thing they have ever done. May our Lord bless them richly for all that they do and may He keep them safe and return them home soon so they, too, can enjoy little Cole.
I hope you and your family enjoy a blessed Christmas season and a joyous New Year!
In His Cradling Hands,
Teresa
View Comment‘JoyNtheJourney’
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