past memories....

Over the weekend we set up our Christmas tree.

I have very vivid memories with helping my mom set ours up each year. I loved this little ritual we would do after Thanksgiving. We had this tree skirt that reminded me of an actual skirt. I would put in around my wait and twirl around the living room.

I used to love hanging the ornaments. Most of them had a story behind them. Because of this, I started ornament journals for the boys. Each year we buy a new one, I take a picture of it, put it in their book and write a little sentence regarding it.

I miss looking at my family ornaments. Thinking of my brothers as I hang theirs on the tree. I miss my family the most during December. I loved being in the same house as them on Christmas morning. Waking up and waiting for my dad to get his robe on so we can see what we got. Being so proud that I bought my brothers something with my own money. I miss the simpleness behind it. The family unit; thinking this would be how Christmas is each and every year.

I was to young to understand that we grow up, we start family's of our own.

I miss them.

I miss having a piece of them hang on my tree. Just feet away from me. If I wanted to feel closer to them, all I had to do was walk over and touch their ornament. Sounds silly, I know. Maybe it's the "baby" in me (I am the 3rd born).

Whatever happens in life I will always have my memories. Some are vivid, some are just small pieces that I try to put together late at night. I think back on them often than tuck them away for another day.

my gratitude list:
family
friends
my electric blanket