Putting the Christmas decorations away

We are finally putting all of the Christmas decorations away today - safely wrapped in tissue and put in strong plastic containers until next year.  This is always difficult for us, as it means that it is the end of that wonderful feeling that only Christmas can bring.  The feeling of overall joy and excitement and the secrecy of planning and giving of gifts.  Both Chris and I love this time of year so much.  We often go overboard and gift a lot, to us and lots of others, but it is that part that is so much fun!!

The part we don't like is the putting away of the tree, its beautiful decorations, and the other decorations spread throughout our home.  But, it is something that can't be put off any longer.

On a sad note, and I am sorry to mention this, but I think of it each year --As Lauren died on January 2, 1999, when we arrived home that day to deal with everything, we were surrounded by the tree and decorations and all the opened presents still under the tree.....
It was just too much to look at and take in at such a very traumatic time. 

I can't remember clearly, but I think that the next day, Chris and Bronwyn's boyfriend at the time, began to dismantle everything and pack it all away.  I think Bron and I tried to help--but I had a lot of difficulty actually functioning that day, so wasn't much help.  But they did it all and we cleared the house, in preparation for the onslaught of people and flowers and funeral arrangements that were looming in front of us.

One memory though that stands out in my mind, was that on Christmas day we had given Maddie a new trampoline to jump on, one of of her very own, as her sisters' old one was beginning to really show its age.

I remember the laughter that day as we all had a go at jumping on it, including Lauren and James, who had spent Christmas with us, and we laughed and giggled at how silly we all looked.

Maddie had fun that day, and we really all had a great Christmas!

After Lauren died, that poor trampoline sat in the middle of the back yard for a very long time, and was just ignored.  It wasn't it's fault - just held too many memories.

Sort of like taking down the Christmas tree every year.