The scent of pine fills my spirit, so fresh and invigorating, laced with memories and beauty, gratitude and hope. Remembering so many Christmases gathered around the tree on Christmas Eve with eggnog and a fire in the hearth, togetherness. Are grandparents and parents crocheting the lace tree skirt wrapped around the tree roots, keeping us warm and giving us a strong foundation from which to grow? Or are they the star at the top, inspiring us to be our best selves? Or are they the strings of lights lighting our way? 

My grandfather used to lay out all the strings of lights to find the burnt-out bulbs and replace them. My grandmother taught us how to make things by hand. She knew how to do a lot with a little and create abundance. 

My sister and brother each have ornaments from childhood memories of decorating the tree while our mom baked Christmas cookies, and we invited friends to help. My sister now makes glass ornaments, Christmas trees, and cardinals.