DEC 12, 2019 – “Dear Cardthartic,” Cardie Jayme Soulati emailed us a few days ago from Dayton, OH, where the temp hovered around 18. Her message was so heartwarming that we thought we’d share it here:
I just ordered a goodly supply of your Meanings of Life Christmas Tree card about how ’Around our Christmas tree, lifelong memories are happily made.’ Cardthartic cards always speak to me, and this one inspired me to sit, reflect and then write …
To me, Christmas begins with the tree. Of course, before I put it up, I grumble all the way. “It’s heavy, it’s not going to fit, my daughter is a teenage Scrooge,” and every other excuse not to jump into the holiday spirit. Then, with a sigh and “enough already,” I push to get ‘er done.
Whether green or white, or even pink, our fronds are adorned with memories sparked by glass orbs, figurines, initials, memorabilia and every Santa Claus, snowman, and angel imaginable. When I was a kid, our tradition was to make our own ornaments. From age nine to 12, we lived in Iran, a country that doesn’t celebrate Christian anything, so our Wisconsin born-and-raised mother sent away to America for “ornament kits.” I can show you each one I made, and tell you how much it still means to me that Mom is so crafty.
Distinctly, my late sister’s presence lives on through the oddly funky ornaments she ordered for me as a teen from the old Lilian Vernon mail-order catalogs. (Remember those? Kinda full of good junk that got you to order every time a new catalog came.) Perhaps it was Tracey’s way of telling me how ‘oddly funky’ I was to her! :) In her memory, each year I unwrap the three glass alien-like dolls and fondly guffaw before packing them back in the bottom of the ornament box to live out their lives.
Other faves I unwrap carefully with a nod and “Ooh, yes, this one I love,” and “Oh, mom, you didn’t have to buy this one (‘cuz I really don’t like it, but will hang it anyway :).” Through our Christmas tree, a parade of people and places comes to life for me … they speak through each ornament celebrating a milestone of life — turning 16, graduation, having a baby — and bring back to me all the people who walked my path.
When the tree is finally, fully decked — with the angel topper on and lights twinkling — the rocking chair beckons. I sit, mesmerized. With each glance at this ornament and that, the tears trickle as those symbols of life, friendship, love, and family live on even after that special someone doesn’t.
Here in my heart and home, the Christmas tree holds symbols of life, my life, and all who have touched it. In my house, it seems that not “Around the tree” but ON the tree are lifelong memories happily made! When my order arrives with those Christmas Tree cards, I’ll sit by my beautiful tree and pen messages to those who make my life merry and bright. Cold and dreary December doesn’t seem so bad at all.
What a beautiful message and tribute to Christmas – a heartwarming reminder of what this season is all about. Thank you for sharing it, Jayme. Merry Christmas to you and yours – and cheers to many more memories to add to your lovely life-filled tree.
Hi, Valeria! Thank you so much for stopping by to send cheer this way! Hope your holiday season is memorable, starting with the fronds of your decked-out tree!
This spoke to me very loudly! Most of my ornaments have a history as well, and I will always use them every year. I have a couple of BFF’s who have absolutely stunning trees every year, and their M.O. is to be as creative and decorate the tree as differently from year to year as they can. And yes, I ooh and aah over their trees, while sometimes privately thinking of what a country bumpkin tree mine is in comparison, but I wouldn’t trade them! Bring on the corny candy canes, I’m ready to laugh and cry while I remember each one.
Donna, I’m with you! I have to say, mom mom started putting up a tree with tons of, well, plain-old balls in colors and shapes, and it sparked not a thing for me. A tree is so personal, I’m finding out, and there’s no one way to decorate it, either. I bet I could spend hours before your tree getting lost in all the ornaments you lovingly hang. Thank you for coming by, Donna. Happiest holidays to you!
What a lovely message, Jayme! We also had so many memories on the Christmas tree, and as I see my grown daughters construct their own trees from our old ornaments and add new memories to theirs, I cannot help but think what a great tradition this is. A journal could not bring back memories as well as a Christmas tree can :) Merry Christmas!
Hi, Ana! The oldest ornaments are those handmade, sitting at the bottom of the ornament box. I can never part with them, either. I think it’s still pretty fun to stay with tradition and make ornaments (if you can corral the kids!). Thanks for reading, Ana. Happy, happy to you and your family, too.
Wonderful thoughts of moments we all share but don’t acknowledge in the special way that you did. I just enjoyed those same feelings while decorating my tree! So, here’s to you Jayme, Merry Christmas to a warm funny loving person with a great family now and forever!
Hello, Ms. Paige. You’re wonderful for acknowledging that I’m funny, what a gift! And, in all seriousness, thank you for coming by to read, connect, and share. That means so much. Wishing you and yours an incredibly loving holiday with peace and happies.
My daughter, Jayme, just sent this on to me and of course I am having wet cheeks. it means so much to me to know how much it all means to her. I am so proud to have her as my daughter.
Happy Holidays to all.
Holy Guacamole! Mom, you just commented on a blog post! Coooool! Thanks, Mama, I love you, too! You made many memories for me over the years, and I’m darn lucky to still have those AND YOU hanging around. <3