Christmas decorations (fa-la-la-la time)

This weekend was "Fa-la-la-la time" as my mom called it. Possibly for the first time ever we put up decorations before Thanksgiving. Usually it's the week before Christmas because we all dread pulling the stuff out from the dusty recesses of the garage. But now, the tree is covered with garland and lights, there is a glittering lighted swag-thing on the fireplace, the wreath is on the door, and the light-up Jesus, Mary, and Joseph are on the front porch to proclaim "'Tis the season". It's nice. It's always a weird, trippy, journey back through time to unpack the ornaments from our childhood. Tarnished silver angels and crumbling handprint dough ornaments are special reminders of how we used to be so excited over anything Christmas-related. Now we do it to convince ourselves we're not Scrooges, but without little kids around, it's not the same. It is another reminder that I should have a little one (or two) running around on the lookout for Santa Claus. My mom should have a grandchild to make the gingerbread house with, instead of my friends' kids. But, such is life, and we will all get through it to face another year.