Our Christmas tree is a journey into our past. The ornaments are handmade by various family members, lovingly crafted and collected over many years. Each little treasure has a personal story connected to it. Many of these were made by our beloved Aunty Gay. Aunty Gay (technically Janis’ Aunt) and I have a long, long history of teasing each other. I love to push the boundaries (on occasion), and Aunty Gay loves to try and keep me on the straight and narrow. This ‘rivalry’ has become a wonderful tradition, and we continue with each visit.
I’ve long forgotten the details, but the family folklore is that many years ago, on a Christmas visit to Aunty Gay’s house, I took a liking to her wonderful handmade ornaments. Rumour has it that I brazenly sidled up to their beautiful tree and pocketed my favourite jewelled piece in plain view of Aunty Gay. I have no doubt there was a scene with Aunty Gay making a bit of a fuss, as she loves to do. I expected no less, and it is possible that I may have purposely caused the scene. Our little game, which we both enjoy, became part of an annual tradition. In subsequent years, there were extra ornaments on the tree from which I could choose my favourite. That collection grew through the decades, and those treasures still hang proudly on our tree. Each year, as they are carefully unwrapped and hung on the tree, I am again reminded of wonderful people and Christmases past.
