Our Stories

Join Two Writing Teachers in sharing your Slice of Life stories. 

As we put up our Christmas tree this year, I couldn't help but think about all the other Christmases that have been celebrated in this house.  It's our first Christmas here, but another family had 55 years before us to hang stockings and put out milk and cookies for Santa. Did the family put their tree in front of the picture window like we did?  Did the kitchen fill with the scent of cookies baking in the oven?  Did children run around, excited for the upcoming visit from Santa?  The last few years left the house empty, so I can't help but think  she must be thrilled to be filled with people again celebrating this beautiful season.

The early morning quiet beckons me to sit in before the tree, remembering our own stories told by the ornaments hanging there. 

The ceramic gift box has been hanging on my tree for the last 32 years, but before that, it dangled from the branches of my grandparents' tree.  Each of the grandchildren had one and when we got married, the ornament came with us to our new homes. 

The Budapest ornament makes me smile.  One lazy Saturday morning this summer, I opened my Instagram feed to discover photos posted by our oldest daughter from Budapest.  "Is Molly in Budapest?" I asked my husband.  Neither of us were aware of her leaving the country.  I gave her a call and she answered the phone, "Oh my gosh!  I am so sorry!  I forgot to tell you that I am traveling this week for work." 

Each ornament on our tree tells a story.  And now that we've settled into our home, we begin to create new memories and stories that will be added to the history of this house.  I look forward to seeing where these stories will lead us.