CELEBRATE THE SEASON!
A Hopeful Season for family and good-will.
A Gentle Season to put our lives into perspective.
A Kind Season to make us stop, thank and think.
A Wishful Season to hope for renewal. Let’s celebrate!
This moment seems right to happily return to a Christmas memory in our home. Join me as we embrace a bit of nature and a lot of sparkle.
The first eight years of our married life were spent traveling to the Midwest to spend holidays with my family. We did no decorating. Sooo, when the first opportunity arrived to decorate our home….nirvana!
Not Decorating did not stop us from collecting a small arsenal of the holly, the ivy, ornaments, garlands, etc. In other words or whatever, the truth is—we collected everything.
A tree was essential. A mammoth one sounded good to me. Sooo, off we went to a Tree Farm with our small daughters and friends visiting from Australia, lots of rope and a saw. It was glorious!
What was not glorious: No perfect tree! I could visit a design showroom, some of them the size of a baseball field and within a short time find a blue-ribbon range of fabrics for a client, but, where, oh where, was that perfect tree?
Our adored Aussie friends viewed my husband with awe and wanted to bestow a “personal-best” blue-ribbon for spousal patience. By the end of the afternoon, they wanted to cut down a tree… any tree or plant me, and drive off into the sunset— without me!
Fortunately, my happy Cheshire cat grin offered a reprieve and they took me home with them to decorate that first Christmas holiday stationing our perfect tree in front of the entry balcony. Everyone took turns placing ornaments. Garlands hanging from the ceiling outlined the tree, added a finishing touch. Good thing I had prepared dinner that morning; decking out that tree required stamina.
All were up to it, including our visitors, who were Professors Emeriti of Sports of Antiquity. Max was a member of the Olympic Committee and beautiful Reet ran the Greek Marathon in Greece. (Max and Reet nominated us to be Danforth Associates leading to new insights and opportunities.).*
It was time. We were ready! The magical moment arrived as we held our breaths in anticipation. Would our stockpile of wampum dazzle us? Lights, camera, action! Raise the curtain! 
Even our resilient Aussies forgave me.
But the tree was only the start! We had parties to give, delectables to entice.. Our creative juices were flowing.
The dining room needed to make a statement and over the years different themes took center stage. Some memorable ones were when mirror runners held prancing feathered peacocks. Another year, a gilt and dark green table runner sported a village scene all made of candles. As the flames moved down the wicks, different levels of light flickered and gleamed. 
When we bought this house, it was empty for over six months. The yard was filled with chest-high weeds. The house had no premonition that Joshua was arriving at his Jericho. Walls came tumbling down, seventeen avocado trees were tired. We said good-bye to them and said hello to our gifted landscape architect and his lighting design that accented the pergola, the tree by the koi pond, the wicker swing. And then:
No guilt! Later we abandoned the tree farms and purchased an artificial tree. We liked it so much we bought two for our open areas and one still skitters out each year at our Retirement Realm. With minimal space limitations, our well-traveled, long-lasting tree and favorite memorabilia deliver warm splashes of color and nostalgia.
That includes being open to new and old challenges, thankful pride in my family, my husband who opened new doors, admiration for the challenges met by my parents and affection for dear and dearest friends.
For me, the focus of holiday happenings is tucking memories away and finding a bridge to put my life into perspective, enjoy traditions and stop to think thankfully for the many, many warm and wonderful years of life.
But don’t forget when a bit of glitz and glitter catch the light there’s a glow in the air offering festive lightheartedness.
From my family to yours, “Celebrate The Season”!
SY’S SALIENT POINTS:
As Tiny Tim said, “God bless us everyone!”
Thank you and Happy Holidays to Betty, Mat, Sue and Caroline!
*Danforth Associates: The Danforth Foundation sponsored regional conferences which addressed topics related to Associates’ roles as faculty, teachers and citizens and to increase the effectiveness of faculty through strengthening inter-institutional and interdisciplinary relations among faculty at colleges and universities.
Wishing You A Season of Holiday Cheer and Happiness My Darling Blaire