The Rural Sprout crew is currently enjoying our annual winter break. Each year, we all take the last couple of weeks of the year off to enjoy the holidays and spend time with family and friends. 

We’ve found that for some strange reason, when the weather is down in the single digits, few people still want to read about gardening. 😉

But this year, it’s been hard to think of something to share. I’ve been wholly focused on the future – my daughter and son-in-law closing on their first house in a matter of days, and moving from one state to another. In all the excitement of having them nearby, it’s been hard to find a moment to sit and think.

But now, as I’m writing to you, sitting here next to my Christmas tree, the ornaments remind me of many other moves. Moves I have made and the moves of others.

From where I sit, I can see two ornaments on my Christmas tree from my neighbors back when I used to live on the second story of an old apartment building.  

One year, we decided to do an ornament exchange. Now the ornaments I received from them remind me of those good times and wonderful people, some of whom I am lucky enough to still have for neighbors just down the road, and another, who, although she is living a state away from us, is still very much in our hearts and text messages.

There is another ornament, a stained-glass peppermint candy, made by a dear friend in a knitting circle I used to be a part of. I have moved away, and we have fallen out of touch over the years. But I think of her each time I hang that ornament on my tree.

Just the other day, I received a text from a dear friend, with a photo of the silly gold, glitter Tyrannosaurus rex ornament I made for her a few years ago hanging on her tree.  A reminder that I, too, am remembered each December when someone else decorates their Christmas tree.