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| The Hennessey Christmas Tree |
Since we bought an artificial tree about a decade ago, the tree looks similar every year, with its perfect shape and evenly spaced lights. The ornaments are pretty much the same too, though I add a few each Christmas, and lose a couple to breakage. The ritual itself -- this year a four-hour marathon during the Vikings-Bears football game -- becomes a little more emotional with the passage of time.
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| Bernard and Bianca from Rescuers Down Under |
The ornament collection is eclectic. I've occasionally been tempted to do a "theme" tree (a color, or type of ornament) but I would miss my favorites too much: the handmade ones created by one of Bob's children before we were married, Chris' little boy creations, Santas, cats (especially the pretty Siamese from Katie Marshall several decades ago), colored glass balls bought at a pharmacy in 1983, an Avon wreath given to me by Bob's late sister Donna, the Griswold Family Christmas cardboard circle, sparkly Christmas barrettes that I discarded after I saw Catherine wearing one on National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, end-of-season items bought for 10% of their original inflated price.
I always look forward to Rescuers Down Under characters Bernard and Bianca, a long ago Burger King premium, and Rudolph and Clarice, Montgomery Ward's freebies with the purchase of Rudolph the Reindeer books oh so many ears ago. By the time I get this far, I'm usually feeling nostalgic and teary, especially if I've knocked back a glass or two of wine. This year, because of the football game, I was enjoying a Coors Light rather than wine, but the sense of sentimental proximity to the people associated with the ornaments.
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| Mary Jo's bird tops the tree this year |
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| Rudolph and Clarice |
I leave the treetop ornament for the very end. I don't have a "real" topper, so it changes every year -- a flower, a star, or an angel worthy of promotion to the top. This Christmas, the treetop is a little bird that once graced the tree of my good friend, Mary Jo Jasicki, who died last March. Mary Jo's daughter Hillary gave me the ornament about a month ago, knowing that her mother and I shared a love for birds.
Little Minou recognizes the tree and likes to rest under the branches. The year is unfolding as it should.
Little Minou recognizes the tree and likes to rest under the branches. The year is unfolding as it should.