Beautiful Firsts

This week, our tree transitioned from pieces in a cardboard box into a twinkling memorial to holy days.

Some were ecstatic to decorate. Some wished they were doing something else. The parents were tired and only started because they knew it wouldn’t get easier with delay. We needed the lavishness of white lights and faux greenery in the midst of our craziness.

Abby and I both found our “baby’s first ornament” pieces: mine a diminutive baby carriage with pink cushioning and wheels that spin, Abby’s a frosted snowman with a perfectly round middle and a black stovepipe hat.

We did something new this time: with my ornament in my left hand and Abby’s in her right, we hung both our ornaments simultaneously.

A beautiful first.

And then I thought about the other beautiful firsts we’ve encountered lately:

• The first time to decorate a tree with a 12-year-old.
• The first time my husband told that joke on a Wednesday and we all laughed.
• The first time all the kids could help untangle the lights, rather than be a part of the tangling.
• The first time to decorate for Christmas on a school night.

Hopefully you’ve noticed that none of these firsts are monumental. They’re normal and everyday. The magic is in the marking. Notice the wonder and celebrate the firsts in a season of repeated traditions.

May you feel thrills of hope throughout your day, friend. May your soul feel its worth. May you take the luxury of noting and rejoicing in the beautiful firsts in your glorious, every day, day.