Yesterday I took the Christmas tree down. That thing probably could have been up for a couple more weeks — it was still drinking water and the needles were barely falling off. Yet, it was totally time for me to remove it from the house. We needed space. But, more than that, I like to start the new year without the Christmas stuff up and the house clean.
As I put away each ornament and pulled down the strands of light I began to ponder next year. I wondered what my life would be like when I unwrapped the strands of light. I thought about life changes, and challenges and growth.What will life be like the next time I touch these lights? How will things change? How will they be the same?
Ornaments and decorations are interesting. You pack them up at the end of the year only to unpack them at the almost end of the following year. Year after year they are pulled out. There is a beautiful nostalgia in this tradition.
Samuel
Your first birthday. How grateful I am that emergency doctors and surgeons recognized that you needed help when you swallowed that sequin star. We are so blessed by you in our lives.
Elijah
Your voice. You started the year as a 2 1/2 year old who talked just a bit, and now as the year closes, you talk a blue-streak. You are hilarious. And full of spunk. And feisty. And such a gift.
Caleb
What can I say? You are my hero. This year you started to read. You are deeply caring. Not a day goes by where I don’t hear from you, “love you mom.” You have a beautiful heart, my son.
Brennan
Super strong man. With a heart for God. You made me so proud when you were in your Pirate Musical. Watching you on stage filled my heart with joy. You are a reader, and a helper, and the leader of the band of brothers. And you look so awesome missing those front teeth. 🙂
Grace
My ballet princess. You are so beautiful. This year you dove into ballet — and the result is exquisite. You help me out so much. I am blessed by your company and am so grateful to be your mom.
Chloe
This is my last year with you before you turn 13. It seems like I just looked into your beautiful blue eyes when you were born. And now, you’re just about as tall as me. Your heart is so tender, so pure, so focused on the Lord. Thank you for reminding me how beautiful it is to be real.
Hannah
My oldest. I have seen you start the year with an interest in photography which has now shifted to a passion for photography. You capture our lives with every click. Thank you for living your life for Christ. Your faithfulness encourages me in my own daily walk.
Todd
My faithful husband. This year marked five years since you were diagnosed with cancer. These years have been hard — ripple effects from being out of work for months due to cancer — and yet despite the difficulties they have been beautiful. Full of gifts, and hope, and a future. I love you.
So now the 2010 tree is outside plopped in the snow. This journey, this Christmas, is coming to a close. Tomorrow marks a new year. New challenges. New joys. Life keeps moving. Time flies by. I want to live. Alive. Aware. And grateful.
16 comments
What a beautiful post. You have so many blessings.
I need to get my decorations down too today or tomorrow.
Have a Safe Healthy Happy New Year!
Blessings!
Janet
Beautiful post, Rachel. May the coming year be a blessed one for you and your family. 🙂
That was beautiful! I love your blog! Continued blessings to you and your family in 12.
Love this post … our tradition is everything stays up until New Year’s Day then we “clean house”! 🙂
I do the exact same thing you do as I pack away our Christmas … wonder what things will be like next Christmas when I unpack everything. I usually pray the whole time I am packing up that everyone will be healthy and happy next year.
Happy New Year, Rachel! Beautiful family pictures and I am getting ready to take our tree down soon!
I had a very similar experience yesterday but I became a sobbing MESS!! 🙂
Happy New Year!
Beautiful. Thanks for sharing
your heart for your beautiful
children. Enjoying Hannah’s
gift with the camera.
Blessings in the New Year!
Sandy
this is my favorite new year’s post!!! wow – what a family! there’s so much beauty and love in your sweet lives. and to think that you get to be all of those amazing children’s mother… what a gift! and i’m certain they’re all amazing because of you and todd, how you are training them up according to the Word. i love this family!!!
Rachel, I was so glad to see your comment on my blog and had to come over and see you! You have a beautiful family, so sweet to point each child out and their strengths. I look forward to starting the new year off with reading more. I am following 🙂 Have a happy new year!
I loved all the photos of your children, and your comments about each one. You have a beautiful family.
We won’t take the Christmas tree down until January 7th, since we celebrate the 12 days of Christmas around here…but I liked your reflections just the same! 🙂
Just beautiful from beginning to end…what a gift to be able to present it in such a beautiful form. So glad you little one is doing well…praying for him was an honor.
Congratulations on your husband’s recovery…and I could go on and on.
Most of all…enjoy those beautiful children and Happy New Years to you and yours.
What a beautiful blog, a beautiful post, and a beautiful family! Looking forward to reading more. Happy New Year!
Hi there! Thanks for becoming a follower of my blog. You’ve got a great blog here. Love the photography 🙂
Rachel….I’m so happy I’ve found you! Your such an inspiration. I always look forward to reading your posts….you keep it so real. Cheers to 2011!
And as if you don’t know already….your kids are so cute!
Thanks for stopping by my blog!
Your family is beautiful! Seriously.
And we share tastes in names for our children.
Blessings on your and yours!
This post is beautiful. Your children are beautiful. Thank you for always inspiring me through your writings! We hope to get our tree and decorations down tomorrow! Blessings!