I have two Christmas decorations hanging on my tree that show special significance for me. They remind me of my parents, who have since passed on to glory.
The silver Christmas ball belonged to my mother. She got it when she was my age. My mother died of colon cancer two years ago; she was 60. I miss her more than people will ever realize; she was my best and closest friend. We did everything together.
Mama also loved Christmas. She loved baking for her grandbabies and spending time with them by reading to them and playing with them. Then she got sick with cancer and our world changed. She was gone within six months.
The gold reindeer belonged to my Daddy. He was a hunter. He loved hunting for deer and rabbits every winter; in fact, up until he got Alzheimer's five years ago, he lived a full and happy life. He went to church and loved praising Jesus with song and prayer time. He was a very strong Christian. Then he got Alzheimers and I became his personal caretaker (as did Mama).
Both the reindeer and silver ball have a special place on my tree, where they can be easily seen by all who come into our livingroom. People are always remarking about them. I tell them the story behind each ornament and tell them how special my parents were; I have them on the Christmas tree to keep their memory alive. I also hang them up in the livingroom and they stay up all year long.
My children love looking at the ornaments and recalling special times spent with their grandparents. They know that they are in Heaven, with Jesus, and that one day, soon, we will all be reuinted. This brings them a sense of hope and comfort.
I do have my moments where I cry or miss my parents, but I am glad that they are no longer suffering. I am glad both accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour before they became sick; this gives me a sense of peace in knowing that they are happy, whole, and above all, healed. This is why I treasure their memory and the significance behind the two ornaments, one silver, and the other, gold.
