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Pearls of Ornamental Wisdom…

A young learner stopped me in the hallway just after announcements:

  • Child:  “Mrs. Van, I have a Christmas Question for you today.”
  • Me:  “Yes?”
  • Child:  “Do you have a favorite ornament on your Christmas tree that is dear to you?”
  • Me:  “Actually, I do, and thanks for asking! What a great question!”
  • Child:  “Will you write about it so I can read it on the ‘puter bog?  🙂

Here goes little friend:  One of my favorite words holidayornamentin the English language is “JOY.”  While happiness is grand, it concentrates more on a circumstance of life–we just “happen” to find ourselves happy because of a situation.  JOY is a deep, soulful emotion bringing delight and gladness–comfort and JOY to the beholder.  There is an ornament I keep close at hand all year (it actually hangs on our tree during the season) with the little word JOY inscribed on the antique snowball.  My Granny B. actually wrote the word JOY on the little ornament the day we had this conversation about JOY.  As always, this was her special way of sharing a “pearl of wisdom” with me.  She was known for doing clever little things like this . . .

As these students were making ornaments today in a workstation during Daily 5 rotations, they were anxious to share the results, which bears this important seasonal question today:  Think of an ornament from your past or present that is dear to you; why does it have special meaning?  Here’s hoping you share your own special JOY and pearl of wisdom with your little one this year!

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Traditional treasures…

Most likely you have a favorite holiday tradition or two…something you treasure each year as the season comes around again.  Whether it’s placing a special ornament on the tree, watching a favorite holiday movie together, visiting a certain jolly fellow (in our family, the Northpark Santa IS the real Santa), or doing a familiar holiday activity together, you have a tradition you never want to miss.

My sister and I would always write long, detailed letters to Santa each year; it was our tradition together in fact.  My parents would then take us downtown to Titches (yes, I’m that old), to visit with St. Nick to share our letters.  I would never tell my parents what I wrote even though they would do any number of things to make me “spill it” (Momma says I’m stubborn that way; go figure?!).  It took me a while to pin down exactly why they wanted to know this personal information.  (The picture is me in third grade with my sister, Becky talking with Santa).  Writing our letters was a tradition we shared together.  Today, we still write our shopping lists (using email or text) because great minds think alike and we’ve also been known to buy the same present for a family member.  Talking and planning (along with writing) with my sister are traditions during the holidays and everyday I never want to miss!

During our morning message today, I asked students about the blessing of traditions, so this leads me to our question today:  What are your favorite family holiday traditions?  In whatever way your family chooses to define the holiday season and make seasonal memories, here’s hoping you take time to reflect together on special traditions.  If you don’t have a favorite tradition, here’s hoping you start one this year!

Note:   A special PTO holiday tradition at LME is the annual Penguin Patch Shop going on all week on campus.  They will also be open Thursday evening before and after the 3rd Grade Holiday Program for your shopping convenience.