My favorite Christmas ornament.
Its shine is from old candy wrappers, glued to notebook paper. It’s hook is a bent paperclip.
It was 1995; our first year together as husband and wife.
I was working three jobs and going to school full time. We were broke, but we had a roof overhead, food on our table, and young love in our hearts.
While I was at work one evening, Laura set about to make our ridiculously small apartment feel festive.
We had a little two foot tall hand me down imitation Christmas tree, but no money for ornaments.
I clearly remember coming home late at night and finding her finishing up making the last ornament. I can still clearly see the smile on her face and the light in her eyes. The tree was beautiful; with home made ornaments, and a colorful paper chain.
For 22 years I have hung this ornament, and then carefully stored it in January.
This piece of candy wrappers mean more to me than any other Christmas item we own.
Life has changes a lot in that time, but this always helps me remember where we came from.
Tonight, in the still air of a peaceful room, while Laura and the girls were singing Christmas carols, it twisted back and forth one time, winking at me. My soul smiled.