As I mentioned before, I sponsored a tree for the Collinsville Festival of Trees. I had so many ornaments donated at the candlelight memorial, and mailed and given to me as well. Thank you so much for your kindness.
As I was going through the ornaments, looking at the handmade ones, reading the reasons why this particular ornament reminded them of Jessica or Kelli, and pretty much sobbing incoherently, I realized that I had to have this tree. No one else would appreciate it the way I would.
On Tuesday night, we decorated. We had a blast. I have to thank Becky, Erika, and Paul for helping to organize everything, decorate the tree and figure out how to keep the angels on top of the tree. I also want to thank everyone who donated ornaments. We filled in the blanks with pink and silver ornaments I found here.
Yep, I found the pink disco balls!On Wednesday night, I put on pantyhose and a skirt, braved the rain and cold, and attended the Festival of Trees. I had no idea it was that big of an event. There were over 400 people there, and I knew probably four of them. I still had fun. Free beer and food = a good time.
I kept an eye on my bid sheet, and only had to outbid one person. Yay! And I paid less than what I had budgeted. Double Yay!
Later on in the evening, I was approached by a woman who asked if I had been able to buy my tree. I said I had won it, and she told me that the people at her table were all going to pitch in money to buy my tree if someone else had gotten it. I had to cry. The kindness of people amazes me still.
It will be our official Christmas tree this year, and next year, and the following years, we will put these ornaments on a tree for Jessica and Kelli. I am putting up two bookshelves which will have their collectibles, pictures and other things that remind me of them, and this tree will be by their shelves.
My tree didn't win any prizes, but it is priceless to me.
8 comments:
It's stories like this one, Kim, that seriously restore my faith in mankind, especially after having had one of those commutes this morning where truck drivers beep at you when you're stuck at a dead stop in traffic, and one of those lunches where you're next on line, or you thought you were 'cause the woman who walked in three.people.behind.you just decided to walk in front of you and order her food...
Small, insignificant things, but most of them are - it's just that they add up to bigger bad moods!
Hearing about those people who were going to buy that tree for you just gave me goosebumps. If I knew who they were, I'd send them an email!
That is so sweet that those people were going to buy your tree for you! I'm glad you won it! I was thinking the same thing...that you needed that tree more than anyone else! It is so pink, girly, and fun looking! I love it! It looks like you got some cute ornaments. I especially like that fancy one above the pink disco ball in that pic of Maddy (the one with the sparkly J on it). :)
I had no idea about what was going on here when I started reading, but I think by the end I got the gist. (Must be an American thing.) So glad you got the tree. I think that a Jess and Kelli tree every year is the perfect way to make sure they're with you all at Christmas.
That is just wonderful, and a beautiful tree! I'm so glad you got it and get to honor and remember your girls every year this way!
What a fabulous celebration of your girls. And what a great spirit of Christmas that strangers were going to buy your tree.
I love all the pink. What a great tree! So glad you got to keep it.
I love the tree and your girls would too. Look at all the pink. Congratulations on once again keeping their memories alive. You are mom of the year in my book.
What a beautiful way to remember your girls. God bless, and I will be thinking and praying for you and your family this Christmas.
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