Because Perfect Isn't Always Perfect

O.K. all the ornaments are geometrically positioned. The ribbon is exactly the same distance from the next strip in a downward spherical pattern. There are 1000 lights, all working, placed in multiple depths to cast a warm glow on every . . .single. . . pine needle. . .and yes! It passed the squint test.

But is it really perfect?

We, or should I say, I, broke tradition this year...well, I guess you can't really call it a tradition. It was more like a well controlled, systematic process I put my family through.

1) Husband gets tree down from attic. ( Finds couch to watch T.V.)
2) Kids begin ripping into boxes and putting everything up.
3) Mom stops the chaos and begins to explain the proper way to apply lights, ornaments. . .
4) Kids leave
5) Mom spends several hours completing the process.


I Love Process

I really do appreciate the comfort in repetition, process and tradition. But what if the process was broken or didn't work for everyone? Would you be willing to change it? Would you even see that change was needed?

Thank you to my husband for admitting he has no idea what my tradition was. I was frustrated that he had let the kids have a free for all, and as I removed the 3 bush lights from the tree, I mentioned that he knew "the tradition" was that I always used. . .and he said,

" No,really I don't know THE tradition".

So, I stopped, sat back and watched everyone wait for my direction. . .and incorrect, incomplete, unrewarding set of instructions to complete a task they didn't even want to do.

Decorating the Christmas Tree is NOT ABOUT APPLIED DISCIPLINE!

I looked into the hands of my children, and each one had "their" ornaments, they were eagerly waiting to hang up; their baby's 1st trinkets, annual pictures, favorite school crafts. . .handmade ornaments that had been passed down. . .and finally the Snoopy globe.

And then there was the "Boy's Tree" this year. They had decided to have a race that they could get theirs up and decorated before my daughter and I finished the big one. . .And Dad helped!

Mom. . .Can we decorate our rooms?

As I thought of all the reasons that wanted to spew out of my mouth, "your room is already a mess", "electric lights cost money". . .I decided to zip it!

I said,

"SURE! Go Ahead!"

But is it really perfect?

Is my house decorated perfectly? Yes. Because it has been carefully decorated by the people in my life that bring me the most joy. It has been sprinkled with a type of fairy dust only produced when LOVE IS PRESENT!


Merry Christmas! Now Go Enjoy The Season!

Kym