I can’t help but laugh, get a dose of “be careful what you say”, and appreciate the story behind this picture.
Each year “I” am the one who decorates our Christmas tree, but this year was different. With each décor this year I reminisced in my mind about the decoration I’m displaying more than ever. Why?   Because this will be our last Christmas in the home that my husband grew up in, the home where Tim and I began dating back in 1985, and the home where I’ve raised my children for the past fourteen years. (Sniff*sniff*yet more joy to come.)
So this year I told the kids, “Okay, you are all helping me with the tree. I’ve displayed ALL the ornaments on the floor, even the ones that I don’t always put on the tree each year. You each choose some to put on the tree. I trust you to think about where you put the ornament because I WILL NOT move it.”
Hunter quickly glanced at the ornaments scattered on the floor and choose three. I don’t think too much thought was put in to his selection and placement, but in the end it worked out beautifully.  Unless…thought…Hunter was being his always observant self and already knew in his mind which ones to gravitate towards.
Holly would be a little more intent on her choosing of her ornaments. I noticed that she would look at ones that had handmade and was adorned by young photos of her, but she would place it back on the floor and choose others to place on the tree. (Ha Ha on Holly…Daddy ended up proudly displaying old homemade photo ornaments of the kids when he chose.)
Then, there was Cole. Cole would look at the ornaments with the nativity being depicted, pick up ones that he could identify with according to his hobbies, and had no issue with choosing the ones with photos of him.
Since I usually don’t top the tree with the angel until the final ornament is placed, it was vacant. Well, not for long. Cole proudly hung his homemade Christmas wreath ornament which revealed a school picture of him from kindergarten at the tip top of our tree. After he hung it, Cole announced with a smile, “Here’s our Christmas angel this year.”
We laughed! It was a classic Cole move.
As I stood there shaking my head and laughing, I reminded myself that I told the children that I would not move their placement of their ornaments. Cole is now our tree topper angel for this year.
Oh how I appreciate each of my children. Each with their different personalities. Each with a different gift to bring to our family. Even if that gift is being the Christmas angel tree topper.
I hope that you will treasure your past Christmas memories, and bask in the present time. Today’s basking will one day be a precious memory.
I pray many blessings and much JOY for you! Have a wonderful day. – Stephanie
 

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