She lives on...

This afternoon we spent some time decorating our Christmas Tree. We let the boys put on most of the ornaments so they often end up clumped together but they are so proud of the job they did.

But then when the boys are done, it is my turn. I very carefully lift my angel out of the box and lovingly place her at the top of the tree-where she belongs.

I made this Angel when I was in 2nd grade at Ontario Christian Elementary. I folded a paper like a fan, cut out a circle for her head and drew her face, then I cut out wings and glued her head and wings on. And on her left side are my initials (well the ones I had before I got married) J.G. For many years she reigned on top of the Gutierrez family tree since I was the oldest.

As we got older my brothers use to poke fun of her and say she was ulgy, but I didn't care, I still put her up year after year. One year my brother Dave tried to replace her with a homemade star he had made but it didn't matter I still put her at the top next to his star.

And when Darrick and I got married, I took her with me so she could sit at the top of our tree and she has for the last 9 years. And as I am writing this I can see her sitting at the top of our tree. She may be turning brown and yellow from fading and she has a tear and her head has been taped on but she is beautiful to me. And as Iput her up Jacob asked, "I thought we are suppossed to have a star on top of our tree." And Darrick answered, "Not in this house. We have an Angel that is very special to Mom."