ForgottenWoman

Remembering What Matters

My final tree for this year was finally up and decorated on December 5. This real tree in the den is what has affectionately been called “Mom’s Tree” for many years. It holds the “elegant” ornaments that I either made, purchased over the years or inherited from family. I love everything about this tree every year. It always looks a little different and I’ve felt like some were much prettier than others…

But while I put this tree together, I shed a few tears as memories flooded my heart and mind of the most beautiful Christmas tree we’ve ever had. At least in my mind it will always be so. It had been a horribly traumatic year for my family and the trauma centered around my life threatening pregnancy, months in the hospital, the traumatic birth of our baby, from September through almost the entire holiday season spent in the NICU and myself trying to function while recovering.

Our incredible (then 8 ) children were required to go through things that no child or teen should ever have to go through. Our teen sons had stepped up in mind blowing ways and just thinking about what they all went through during that period shakes me to my core today – and I have to constantly remind myself that “ALL things work together for good to them who love God – to them who are called according to His purpose!” He allowed every single thing that happened and He continues to use it in the lives of our family.

I managed to get groceries for a Thanksgiving meal between NICU stays and then on the night before, I was called back to the NICU and informed that our baby would be having surgery the next morning. I don’t remember how or when we had our meal that Thanksgiving – I just know that we did. And then I remember very vividly coming home from the NICU late one night to find the most beautiful site. My teen boys had led their siblings in setting up the most beautiful tree I had ever seen or have seen since! The love and care that went into making sure that there was a tree – well; if you know me – then you know how much that spoke to my heart!

We were able to bring our baby home complete with oxygen tank and heart monitor a week before Christmas that year and while I don’t remember gifts or even our meals together that season; I’ll forever remember that tree and the volume of love it spoke!

Don’t ever underestimate the value of knowing what matters – and making it happen for those you love.