Twelve Times The Memories

A partridge in a pear tree
Two turtle doves
Three French hens
Four calling bird
Five golden rings
Six geese a-laying
Seven swans a-swimming
Eight maids a-milking
Nine ladies dancing
Ten lords a-leaping
Eleven pipers piping
Twelve drummers drumming.

I love these little Twelve Days of Christmas ornaments...I bought them a long, long time ago, and for many years, we have hung them up to mark the passing of each day of Christmastide.

As you can see, they have taken some beatings over the years. There are several held together by blobs of glue and extra lengths of wire. Paint is chipped, the hooks are bent out of shape, and a few berries have gone missing.

These bumps and bruises may make my treasures look a bit tired to the casual observer, but to my eyes, they are beautiful. Every imperfection brings back memories of tiny hands that held and patted and played with the little figures.

I cherish the remembrances of the many Christmases past that these ornaments have seen, and I'm glad my daughters and I have not just one, but twelve days of Christmas memories for each year of our lives together.