Happy Holidays! Holly jolly from our family to yours

We’re getting our holly jolly on today!

I wrote this post a few days ago, before I wrapped any presents or put up our tree in the living room. So while I feel the holly jolly of the season, we don’t have any 2014 Christmas tree and present wrapping photos to share….yet.

So, I’ve procrastinated on the present wrapping because of me.

The tree? Jack asked that we wait until Christmas Eve to put it up. It’s a tree that used to be my Grandmother’s. She would put it up in her tiny basement apartment every year.

And even though my husband Mark teased me for the first few years about how tiny and maybe a little anemic it appears to the casual observer, he now ‘gets me’ about it. And he isn’t bothered by the lack of ‘wow’ in the ornaments or the lack of ‘design’ involved, either. Each little ornament has a story, and they are far from coordinated or designed to have any type of ‘pinspiration.’

The little tree is a nice reminder of family who are no longer here. And what better way to celebrate those who we’ve loved than to celebrate with the ones who are next to us today.

We’re thinking about my grandma, Florence, Mark’s grandpa Arthur, Mark’s mother Janice, and everyone else who has spent time in our lives. Every one of them and you are part of who we are. And we’re thankful. Grateful. And humble that we get the opportunity to share what we love with you.

So happy holly jolly to you and your family. We hope you can find at least a few minutes during the busyness of the holidays to find your bliss remembering the lucky-duck parts of your life.