Every year for Christmas, my grandmother gave each of my sisters and me an ornament. It was a tradition, something we could count on without fail, as sure as the Christmas socks she gave us every Thanksgiving. However, I am ashamed to admit that I didn't really appreciate the beautiful ornaments until I was decorating our tree this year, several months after she passed away.
I enjoyed admiring the ornaments and turning them over to read her perfect handwriting - being a 1st and 2nd grade teacher much of her adult life, she never wrote in cursive, only print - as I hung them on our tree.
I found I couldn't remember anything else she gave me in 2005, but I do know that she gave me this sweet ornament with angels on it.
This Christmas tree ornament was a gift in 1997...
and can you believe I still have this beautiful ornament given to me in 1986, when I was just 2 years old?
In this way, I will remember my grandma year after year, proof that the smallest, simplest gifts can mean the most of all...
