a new ornament for the tree

Our family is big on tradition. Since I was a little kid we have had certain family traditions that even now I still hold onto and have tried to pass to my kids.

For example, on Thanksgiving, all of us adults are required to find a Bible verse that mentions thanksgiving or gratitude..we then take turns reading them before the family prayer and the feasting begins.

Another long-held tradition is buying a Christmas tree the Friday after Thanksgiving. I know it seems early to many, but I remember the fun of it as a kid. My parents piling us all into the latest jalopy ( remember those station wagons with the fake, plastic paneling and riding in the far rear in the little seat that faced backwards?)then heading out to "the country" to find a Christmas tree farm. Usually hot cider was served and we'd walk row after row looking for just the right one. Inevitably the tree looks nicer in the field than the living room where it has a striking resemblance to the tree Charlie Brown bought. ( or it was 2 feet higher than the ceiling).

This year I kept the "after Thanksgiving" tree buying tradition alive--by myself. My wife is a dialysis RN and can't just take days off as she wishes. My daughter got home from college Wednesday night and is visiting friends who've scattered around the country ( and world) but are also back home for the holidays. So I bought the tree, did the trimming and evened out the bottom of the trunk so that it won't lean (too much.)

The decorating is to be done Saturday as a family. I did pull out the box of ornaments however. Many are very special, reminders of Christmas' past. As I sat there deep in the nostalgic thoughts that each different ornament stirred up, I came across an ornament I added to the collection just a few years ago.

I found this pretty Morgan dollar, nicely struck, mint state and beautifully toned...but in a bezel a few years ago. No longer worth any numismatic value..it has become a family treasure since it is one of "dad's ornaments". You see, what was once a "ruined coin" from being made into jewelry, will someday be on one of my daughter's trees and she'll explain to the grandkids ( if I'm no longer around) that Grandpa was a coin collector..so a new tradition gets started..