Years ago, when our youngest son made his special Christmas tree ornament, it kind of stood out and over-powered the rest of the Christmas tree.  Nobody wanted to hurt his feelings, so we didn’t say anything.  But our shared first impression was that it was just one of the “kind of  ugly” ornaments of all time.  Of course we had to save it, so the next year, as we decorated the tree while our son was outside playing, we carefully hung the special ornament in the back of the tree where it was hardly able to be seen.  Surely he wouldn’t remember it a year later.  But when he came in the house and saw that the tree was up and decorated, he looked it over immediately.  His sole purpose was to find his special hand-made ornament from the previous year.  He spied it hanging in the back of the tree and without a word, he just calmly moved it to front and center. His only contribution to the tree decorating that year.  Ever since, and especially as the years have gone by, that once “kind of ugly” ornament has become a treasured favorite.  It is always displayed in a prominent place on our Christmas tree.  It is in the place of honor on our tree, and inside of us too.  So, we welcome Torrence to the place of honor this year as well!

Our 2011 Christmas Tree, in Homer, Alaska

This year's place of honor

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