I am posting this six months late.
I am ashamed to realize that I never posted this before. I meant to.
This was the week after Thanksgiving.
Festival of Trees has been benefiting Primary Children's Hospital for decades. Every tree and playhouse and quilt and wreath is donated for a 4-day display that fills all the halls of the entire convention center.
Decorators have a day to put it all together, and then people pay to come see the beautiful decorations. Dancers and choirs and other entertainment comes from all over the state to perform.
They sell scones and hot cocoa, which are also donated.
Families and companies bid on the trees. Some families traditionally buy their Christmas tree from the Festival each year. Sometimes they adorn the lobbies local businesses. Several are bought and then donated to decorate the halls and clinics at Primary Children's Hospital.
This year, one tree was placed in the Hematology/Oncology clinic, and the toys that decorated it were distributed to the patients that came in December.
Emma's grandparents, Aunts, and Uncles from both sides helped fund Emma's tree.
Emma wanted Minnie Mouse to be the theme, and we got busy making "Minnie's Miracles."
Aunties Jen and Sarah let me be on the decorating team. I certainly couldn't captain this project, much less do it on my own. I am really grateful that I got to be there on decorating day, though.
There's the picture in the frame. Emma with Minnie, taken on her Make-a-Wish trip.
We spent nearly $400 on the materials. We bought many items on the day after Christmas 2013. Retail for the supplies would have been just over $600.
Looks pretty good, huh? We were working next to a family that brought their little baby to decorating day, along with his oxygen and medical supplies. We were on the same row as the two trees that were donated almost at the last minute in honor of Ethan Van Leuven. That was the day I met Jennifer, Ethan's mom. We've become friends with that incredible family.
Emma's friend Braelyn was diagnosed a couple weeks after her. Braelyn's family and neighbors did a tree that was a few rows away from us. Braelyn is also doing pretty well, now.
Every tree tells a story. Every tree is a gift of love. For many people besides me, these trees are a target for emotions. Maybe of gratitude, honor, memory, hope, sorrow, grief, joy... and always love. They are something to focus on when you need an outlet.
Our community did a tree honoring a gal who had been on the Festival board for more than 20 years and who passed away leaving a huge hole in our neighborhood. Some are celebrations, some are tributes, some are wishes.
This tree is Dylan's. Emma's Home Health nurse, Dylan, made this tree decorated with the favorite candy of all his patients. I don't remember which candy Emma told him; but she's on there.
We know people that have been beneficiaries of the monies raised by this and other efforts for Primary Children's Hospital. We have friends that didn't have insurance when their child was diagnosed. We know people whose lives have been blessed because of this.
The SOLD sign in the corner brings me a lot of peace. I feel like we were able to say thank you a little bit for all the people that have helped us along the way.
We have a theme and a plan for this year's festival, again. We have spent around $500 and Grampa Tec has built us a treasure chest. Auntie Jen is piecing a quilt. We are gearing up for another chance to say thank you and to expend a little emotion in creativity.
