Simply because it’s hard...

So often in life we don’t do things because there hard, or it hurts, or the fear is overwhelming. Pop wasn’t too fond of putting up the Christmas tree, but with some love and elves he gave in.

Little notes all over the Christmas decor, ornaments neatly wrapped in tissue paper from the 50s then carefully placed in a sandwich baggie. Great Gran even placed a little note on the Christmas bulbs.... a reminder to check the lights before wrapping them around the tree.

Great Gran always speaks love into my life and tonight was no different. “Test bulbs!” Before going out into the world or about your day “test your bulb!” Are you shining bright?

We are having a door decorating contest at school. Last week I finished my door and a large bulletin board... Guess the theme? “Let your light shine” Each student decorated their own light bulb and I filled my door and bulletin board with them.

The “test bulbs” was a reminder that the best parts of Great Gran are inside of me, my brothers, cousins, parents, aunts, uncles, and Pop!

Great Gran loved Christmas lights and this time of year. May we all shine bright for the Lord today and each day we are on this earth!

Thank you Lord for allowing us to feel my Grandma’s presence tonight. We felt her in the little notes, in the receipt she neatly placed in the bag with the new lights she bought three years ago (apparently she didn’t know of the Walmart return policy), Pops stories about how decorating the tree took Great Gran 6+ hours, and how Great Gran loved to give Pop sugar once the tree lights were on.... There were more stories, but in all of them Pop shared the love they have for one another is still very much alive today!

For 67 years they physically put up the Christmas tree together and today they did in love, spirit, and memories.