Hi Friends!
Just a little fairy tale today…
Once upon a time, there was a little girl
who dreamed big dreams.
Along her way she collected
cherished people,
cherished places,
and cherished memories.
Very sentimental, and a bit old-fashioned,
she kept Christmas in her heart
all year long.
Over the years, her Christmas tree
filled up with treasured stories
and became a precious ‘scrapbook’
0f her life.
As a child, I watched with admiration as my mom hand stitched a beautiful quilt. For my very first Christmas tree, my mom surprised me with a handmade dove and star, lovingly hand stitched with scraps she saved from her quilt. So precious! ♥
The oldest ornaments on her tree
were lovely handmade gifts
from family and friends,
for her very first Christmas tree
in her apartment.
Throughout my childhood, I have wonderful memories of my dad restoring our Model A Ford. My love of antiques began with those fun rides in the ‘rumble seat’ in our Model A. He taught me how to use tools and years later helped me to restore my old house into a cozy home. For my first Christmas tree, my dad surprised me with a handmade Model A of my own! ♥
While growing up, I admired my Aunt Carlene’s ‘People Tree’ every Christmas. All of her ornaments were gifts from family and friends. I knew that I would have a ‘People Tree’ of my own one day! Aunt Carlene lovingly hand stitched this Santa and rocking horse to surprise me for my very first Christmas tree. (She worked on them while sitting in a little boat on vacation, as my uncle fished.) Truly a labor of love! ♥
Years later, she began to celebrate Christmas
in a cozy, little home of her own.
Every December,
just after her birthday,
her brother would come with his truck
to help her choose the perfect tree. ♥
Oh, those frigid days, as he patiently
twirled each tree on the lot,
until she found the ‘perfect’ one!
One extremely cold day, my brother and I put up my partially-frozen Christmas tree. My whole family helped to decorate it. A few hours later, we heard a loud crash, as my beautiful Christmas tree hit the floor, sending ornaments flying everywhere! As the branches thawed, they had pushed the tree away from the wall tipping it over. This precious ornament (a gift from my brother years before) was in need of repair. So, he patiently glued the pieces back together. Good as new… and even more special! ♥
Her Christmas tree also holds
cherished memories of her travels
over the years.
Many years ago, I spent a magical Christmas in Germany, with my dear friend, Iris, and her family and friends. I bought the candles and candle clips there to bring a bit of German Christmas tradition to my tree. The wooden mouse came from the Christkindlesmarkt in her city in southwest Germany. (It has been enjoyed by hundreds of my young students over the years, as we studied ‘Christmas Around the World’ to learn the origins of our holiday traditions!) The glass ornaments were special gifts from my Christmas in Germany. ♥
This handmade, wooden ornament is from the Czech Republic. I dreamed of visiting Prague and Iris carefully planned our adventure there. I was delighted to find this beautiful Christmas ornament for my tree on a hot, summer day in Prague! ♥
Years later, she met the one
who melted her heart…
and made her want to say “I do.”
Ever since their first Christmas,
they have been trimming their tree together.
Now he knows all of her stories
that each ornament holds.
Beautiful glass ornaments
from his childhood Christmas tree
also add a very special sparkle
to their tree.
Now she knows all of the
cherished stories of his life, too. 🙂
A gift from a dear friend, this ornament always melts my heart and makes me smile. It looks just like us! ♥
Their Christmas tree is filled with a lifetime of
memories and blessings!
If you peek under their Christmas tree
this year,
you won’t find many packages.
The many gifts they are giving are
gifts of kindness,
gifts of helping,
gifts of caregiving,
and gifts to their favorite charities.
♥♥♥
This little fairy tale comes from
our true story, The ‘Heart’ of Christmas.
(Click here for the story!)
♥♥♥
We know that sometimes the holidays can be
a very difficult time.
Hopefully, looking back on the memories
of Christmas Past
and looking ahead to brighter days
will remind you that you are
wrapped in our love…
Handmade wishes… especially for you!
Warm wishes to all this holiday season!
Wishing you peace, love, and hope
in the coming year.
Heartfelt thanks for the gift of your friendship! ♥
Comfort and joy!
♡ Dawn
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