The Giving Tree

True to what so many of us do, I did a Wiki-search on the Christmas tree tradition: "The Christmas tree is often explained as a Christianization of the ancient pagan idea that the evergreen tree represents a celebration of the renewal of life.... Individuals' decorations vary wildly, typically being an eclectic mix of family traditions and personal tastes; even a small unattractive ornament, if passed down from a parent or grandparent, may come to carry considerable emotional value and be given pride of place on the tree."

As I've said before, our slim tree is our Memory Tree of places we've visited in our past 8 years together. Here's a sampling:

Honolulu, Hawaii; St. Croix, Virgin Islands

Any Town, GERMANY

Jekyll Island, Georgia; Catalina Island, California

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina; Inside Passage, Alaska

Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia, CANADA; Saugatuck, Michigan

Biltmore Estate, Asheville, North Carolina

Bar Harbor, Maine

Chartres, FRANCE; Salzburg, AUSTRIA

This Memory Tree really is our Giving Tree because it gives back to us every year the memories of these special places. I've tried to pick ornaments where some of you (my readers) live, or thereabouts. And so as I remember these places, I remember YOU and wish you a Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah, and the best of wishes as we move into yet another New Year!