Readers know how much I love to decorate at Christmas time! This
passion for lights, snowmen and holiday cheer could be called over the top or
slightly very excessive (Exhibits
A, B
and C)
but I like to call it “normal,” “spreading Christmas joy” and “oh so much fun!”
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| Santa visited our neighborhood early |
It is not uncommon to have to downsize when caregiving or when someone
is ill. While getting our trees this
year (yes, trees – more on that later), I overheard a woman tell her husband
and adult daughter they used to get the biggest tree in the lot. She was saying
this as her husband tossed a mid-sized tree in the back of their pick-up but
she seemed to accept this was the year they were downsizing.
Richard’s mom has boxes and boxes of Christmas decorations at her house
but hasn’t had the energy or desire to unpack them the last few years. Last
year, Richard snuck over on Christmas morning and set up a tabletop tree and
strung a few lights so she would wake to a magical Christmas morning.
I still get a little teary-eyed just thinking about that generous gesture.
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| Carol's finished product |
This year, Carol was again not interested in decorating. It could be
her depression. It could be hauling boxes out and decorating seems too
overwhelming. Whatever the reason, we wanted to bring her some Christmas cheer
so surprised her with a decorating party.
Richard, Robert, Rachel and I set out with another tabletop tree,
decorations and our Christmas spirit. We surprised Carol who was grateful and
ready to decorate with us. She jumped in and went through her own boxes of
holiday decorations and pulled out what she wanted to set around and found
ornament hooks since we forgot to bring them.
She let us know when she was satisfied there were enough decorations –
we wanted to follow her lead and not overwhelm her. After all, this was her
house and we didn’t want to overstep our boundaries but wanted to bring some
Christmas cheer. When we were finished,
she left for church and called once she returned home. She expressed her gratitude and joy at coming
home to a tree and a living room full of Christmas lights.
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| Choosing the best tree |
It was a fun afternoon for all of us and Carol was pleased with the
decorations. Success!
For our own house, Richard and I have been decorating a little at a
time. Instead of taking a full day (or two or three) to decorate, we have
slowly put out a few items each day. We even did our own version of downsizing:
instead of a very tall tree which is difficult for the two of us to haul in and
decorate, we opted for two smaller trees. We have done this for a couple of
years now and it works out much better for us. Richard is not in as much pain
while stringing the lights or trying to get a 10 foot tree straight in the
stand.
The bonus of having two trees is we can use most of the ornaments we
have collected through the years! Last night, Robert ate his Rocky Road ice
cream and watched us string the lights on one tree and tonight we will tackle the
other one. Robert enjoyed helping pick out the trees and will help put on a few
ornaments as well.
We don’t have him help with the lights as that is a very delicate
operation that Richard and I have tried perfecting over the years. By
perfecting, I mean we try to hang the lights and continue to speak to one
another for the rest of the night. (There’s
something about stringing those lights . . . as a friend said, “hanging lights
can make or break a family!)
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| Stringing lights on Tree #1 |
Again, success! J
Caregiving brings challenges and change and sometimes even downsizing
but it can also remind us how precious time with family is and that change can
be embraced.
Here’s hoping you enjoy your holidays and decorating too! Just watch out for those Christmas tree
lights . . .
