12.16

I remember when this was always our Christmas tree topper. Always. We couldn’t have a normal star or anything. Because she matched my mom’s entire collection of Precious Moments ornaments. And by collection, I mean each year’s from 1990 to 2007 plus all our Baby’s Firsts. So, that didn’t leave much room for any ornaments with sentimental value. Like the ones all kids make in school.

My mom was serious about her ornaments. So much that when one of our Christmas storage tubs had some water damage, she sent my dad on an internet wide search to replace all of them. And she wasn’t happy until it was done.

After my parents got divorced, this little lady and her twenty-some minions fell into memory. Until a few years ago. And much to my surprise, my own mother just gave them all to me. Without asking. Of course I took them; I was definitely in need of any and all decorations. Not that I wanted any of her gifts, but these are related to my father and I’m sure she would have loved to smash them all. No matter how much money was spent on them.

7.8

I remember watching this spin in the window as a child. It had been one of my mom’s decorations for as long as I can recall. No matter where we lived, she would find a window to hang it in front of. My favorite was when we finally settled into our canal house. My parents… Well, more like my mom convinced my dad to remodel the living room. There used to be a floor to ceiling window, but I suppose it seemed too revealing. It turned into a bay window, where I could could sit and see storms rage over me. And above me would always be this crystal star.

When I finally got my own place without roommates, she offered this to me. Actually, I think she only gave it away because she was moving again and didn’t have a place for it. I wasn’t in a position to turn down free shit. I gave it a home; not where I wanted it to be, but the sun hit it every so often. Once I moved again, I found a better place for it. Definitely not in front of a window, but I can’t utilize that position until I live somewhere with a bay window. I’ll live out my preteen years eventually. For now storms aren’t followed by indoor rainbows.