The Ramblings of a Redhead

It is hard to believe another Christmas is quickly approaching.  In a year of uncertainties and change I find the familiarity of the holiday more comforting than usual.  Spending time with family putting up decorations has always been one of my biggest joys of the season. Picking out and cutting down the perfect tree, pulling out all the familiar boxes from storage, and smelling all the scents that will forever be the smell of Christmas.  This year, however, it connected within my soul more than ever. As my eyes scanned over the familiar things around the house I realized these are so much more than simply decorations and ornaments.  They are memories.  I stopped to take more time and began actually seeing the years etched on each one. So much began to flood my mind. Pieces of Christmases past.  Memories of snow falling, my brothers and I lying at the top of the stairs trying to sneak a peak at what magic awaited us under our tree. Memories of the warmth of my mom's lau