Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Our Very Own Angel Tree

A tradition in our house (ever since Brandon and I got married) is that every year, once the store displays switch to all things reindeers and twinkle lights, we pick a night to shop together and each select an ornament that represents that particular year. Once kids entered the scene, we passed the tradition down to them and they too get to pick out one ornament for the tree. Some selections are serious and some are more silly in nature, but each one holds meaning and represents "us" in one way or another. I will never forget the pink, sparkly tennis shoe we selected for Clara in 2014, the year she started walking.

After the year that we had, it was quite easy for me to decide what I wanted, what I needed, for our tree. I needed an another angel ornament. An angel ornament for our angel boy who is running the streets of heaven.

And one day while shopping with Brandon on a quick, unexpected weekend away, we passed a unique Christmas store and I found my little guy. My little boy with wings.

Tiny, but perfect. Just like Chance.


And then, one day last week, I got the most unexpected package that literally took my breath away. A dear friend saw this mother and child ornament titled "Angels Embrace," and gifted it to me, to our family, as a visual reminder to "hold close that which we hold dear." I pulled it out of the package and, with a smile on my face, just wept. Sweet tears of love and sadness and hope and joy and thankfulness for this perfect, tangible reminder that the world has not forgotten our boy.

I will forever cherish this gift.




Our tree angels sit next to the angel ornament we selected to represent Clara's twin that we lost in 2011 (far right in picture below). And while I still have moments of wishing and wondering and questioning, this picture brings so much hope to my sometimes weary soul.


A hope that one day I will be reunited with my angel babies and all things will be made new. And until that day I will keep trusting in the One has more love for me and my babies than I can ever truly fathom or understand.


Isaiah 43:19 See, I am doing a new thing! It springs up now; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. 

4 comments

  1. This is too sweet and what a wonderful way to remember the babies that you don't get to hold this Christmas - thinking of you and your angels!

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  2. Oh gosh, how beautiful. Both ornaments and that note- wow. Your Christmas card is beautiful and so meaningful- I just cried when I flipped it over...but what a beautiful tribute. Thinking of you, friend.

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  3. The sweetest gift with the sweetest note - thank the Lord for thoughtful friends! All three of the ornaments are just perfect.

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  4. Those are beautiful, and a wonderful way to commemorate and remember Chance each and every Christmas!

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