My girl Claire is divorcing her abusive husband Matt. This weekend, a moving van is coming to pick up all of Matt's belongings that Claire piled on the porch.

After going through their Christmas decorations, Claire texted:

"Thank goodness you labeled everything! His mom gave us over 30 boxes of tacky dollar store junk and gold-and-white Christmas stuff. No sentimental value. None labeled. Matt never let me put anything sentimental up. He likes a white, fake tree with fake ornaments. Shane and I love sentimental value and now I can finally use everything."

So, Christmas ornaments I gave Claire are still in clearly-labeled boxes. Seven years ago, I stopped putting up a Christmas tree. Gave all of my ornaments to Claire. Some were handed down by my mother and grandmother.

Starting when she was a baby, I gave Claire an ornament each Christmas.

For five years, I hosted large Christmas ornament-making parties for parents and their kids. Got tired of buying expensive craft materials for everyone. After doing all of the setup, cooking and cleanup, I felt exhausted.

Photo:

Musical angel ornament on my Christmas tree. Made by Claire, age five, and me during the first ornament-making party.

Oops! I cut up original flute sheet music at first. Came to my senses and made copies.