The cooking, the songs, the secret squirrelly gift buying, the wrapping and bow tying, the hanging of wreaths, decorations and arranging of lights are done. With a few nights before Saint Nicholas comes down the chimney, I love to sit in my favourite chair, feeling wistful as I breathe in the multitude off colourful happy memories hanging on the branches of my Christmas tree.
So many wistful feelings come to the surface as I look at each ornament that have entered my life over the many years. Each year they are carefully unwrapped and gently placed on branches around the tree in between the tinsel and lights twinkling bright into the silence of night's light.
I am delightfully entertained with a different show each night. Last night my eyes saw the Santa Clause card made by our youngest son when he was in grade 2 in 1992. It feels like only yesterday but it is not as he is now 35. I remember the afternoon he proudly took it out of his bag and handed it me.
Next my eyes focus on the little ball I bought in Niagara Falls in 2004 as part of a road trip with the US side of the family. I can still see myself in the raincoat poncho as the water sprayed over the little boat. This is especially memorable as my lovely brother-in-law passed over 10 years ago.
The little decorative lady's hat comes into view as I think of our friends Donna and Kerry in Victoria on Vancouver Island hosting our one and only scrumptious Thanksgiving Dinner in 2015. The plan for them to visit us in Australia has been put off due to covid.
Then my eyes focussed for a short time on the red bauble ball as I remember walking through the Christmas shop, the Kathe Wohllfahrt in Rothenburg. It is a very pretty historical town positioned along the Romantic Road in Bavaria in 2016. I would love to visit again.
As quickly as my nightly sweet wistful memory slide show starts it is over. Once Christmas has been celebrated the magic drawing me to my ornaments vanishes in a puff.........
.......... only to be resumed again next December.
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Sending 
The helping hand, the kind words and daily sincere greetings from many of the hive bloggers is always appreciated. I enjoy visiting bloggers and admire the many posts of many different topics. Such a fun feel good community to be a part of, bringing a smile to my face everyday.
Goodbye from me with a little touch of Australian Christmas humour. Wishing all my fellow bloggers a happy relaxing lead up to Christmas Day and a restful holiday over Christmas whether you follow this traditional celebration or not.
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