Thanks for the memories

Kathy Parker
Managing Editor

December 15, 2007 12:51 pm

— Decorating my Christmas tree is an emotional experience.
Some of the ornaments are 30 years old. Every year as I unpack each one, I remember who made it, who gave it to me, where I was when I bought it, what was going on in my life at that time and how things have changed.
No one who knows me would be surprised to learn a great number of the ornaments are boots. There are all kinds of boots, but there are roughly three dozen made by my Daddy.
After working as a painter and finish carpenter for most of his life, Daddy spent the last years of his stint in the workforce at a box factory. He baled messed up and reject boxes to send for recycling. By choice, he worked the graveyard shift.
Daddy is an artisan who can make beautiful items from almost anything. The baled boxes were stacked on wooden pallets and Daddy is an avid “whittler.” He refuses to refer to himself as a carver. Anyway, while he was waiting for boxes to bale, he began making boots out of box pallets. Most of mine are about three inches high, but I have one as large as six inches and some only about an inch and a half high. All are high-heeled cowboy boots.
The box factory has a four-color print room and Daddy discovered all colors of ink there. That’s what he used to paint the boots. I even have a couple of packers with tiny little holes for the strings - yep, they have strings, too. Many of the tops have designs. Each one of these boots is unique. I know three dozen sounds like a lot, but I guess it isn’t because he carved as many for my mother and brother.
My beloved Granny Fern has been gone many years, but I still have ornaments she crocheted. Some are bells and others are round disks in fancy patterns.
One of my favorite ornaments is a little gourd. Painted on it is a sleeping mouse wearing a Santa hat. Mother got that one at Silver Dollar City.
I have boots from a trip to the National Finals Rodeo in 1999. I have a boot dated 2000 from a trip to the Working Ranch Cowboys Association rodeo finals. There are boots from a booth at the Wild West Show in Claremore. There’s a kochina doll bought on a trip to New Mexico, pequins and gingerbred men bought on a trip to Aruba. Snowmen ornaments from my Aunt Dickie.
Several of the ornaments are from our party here at The Daily Times. We began this tradition when Amy became publisher. Each of us buys and wraps an ornament, then we choose one in turns according to our birthdays. I get to choose from a wide assortment since my birthday is in March.
I have specialty Hallmark ornaments, many for a daughter and all given to me my my mother. Over the years, Mom has given me many one of a kind ornaments and the garland which is all wood. Mom also gave me the small cowboy hat ornament which tops my tree.
Some of the ornaments are purely senitmental. Snowmen cut out on the band saw and painted with barn paint by my students when I taught ag. We drilled holes in the top for hay string to hang them. Two scarecrows made of clothes pins bought my first year of college from a booth fundraiser for home ec students. A paper angel and Styrofoam clown which came on presents years ago. Pine cones from my brother’s front yard.
Decorating the Christmas tree is a trip down memory lane for me.
I have three “first Christmas together” ornaments. Each year I look at them, pack them back in the box and say a prayer of thanks while I finish the tree.