Seeing 2016 out with a Tree of Gratitude

[Loretta Riddell (Elohi)]

This year will end on My Memories of A Lifetime
I will Honor my Parents and their Struggles and instead of a Tree inside I will have a big Fir Limb standing in upright. Honor a Mother who worked on Military Ships, While my Father wore a Uniform.. back in those days she could not afford a tree and ask a gentleman for a limb he had cut off a tree so he could fit it into him home.. telling him she just wanted it for decorating.. Decorations for her limb were the very meager .. but she had all she needed a limb made into a tree 5cent decorations purchased on our birth and her Nativity and two most treasured gifts a truck for her Son and a Corn husk doll for her Daughter...

This year the tree limb will be decorated slowly
by placing a Card of Gratitude on the limb... one a day... Of all my Blessings in Life which will include all the trials faced ..
Of the lives lost and chosen Family gained in my World..
Some may think this is strange but at my age I can look back and remember the precious traditions of my Ancestors and all the Trials I have survived and be awed by the Gift of Life