I was looking at  everything as we unpacked it this past weekend for our annual ritual of putting up the Christmas tree and the outside lights.  It seems like just yesterday that our first child was born and we watched in wonder as she stared at her first Christmas tree.  We have a tradition of adding ornaments to our collection every year, but with children added to the scene, that becomes even more special.  We have come to appreciate the beauty of handmade ornaments a lot more.  The handmade Christmas ornaments sold by gifted craftspeople are beautiful, but my favorites will always be the ones lovingly crafted by my own kids as they did their best to create special gifts for their parents.  If you have kids, encourage them to make some crafts that you can display.  When you are used to seeing them hanging around, you might become immune to how precious they are, but as your children grow, and their artistic talents mature, you will realize how special those first homemade gifts really are.  Maybe its me getting older.  I suppose it is really.  But I treasure every day more and more as I appreciate the love wrapped up in every special crayon picture or Christmas tree ornament made with craft sticks and glue.  It’s good stuff.

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