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Guest post by Karen Malley

 Today is a guest post by Karen Malley. 

Almost everyone has Christmas traditions, whether it’s attending a special church service, donating time or money to charities, decorating the house, baking treats, braving the malls, or simply taking the day off of work and spending time with loved ones.

My husband and I started a tradition when we first married. Each year we’ve decorated a Christmas tree together. The first year, we each hung an ornament from our childhood trees, along with a “first Christmas together” ornament, representing our two separate lives coming together. Since then, we’ve added to the tree with special ornaments representing that year. Some years were more somber than others – an American flag represented 2001, and this year, yes, we actually bought a virus ornament. Other years, the ornaments marked special events in our lives, such as buying our house or the birth of our children. Some years we have ornaments from special places we’ve traveled, or a championship win by a favorite sports team. This year I’m hanging an author ornament to commemorate my publishing debut.

Each December, I add a few sentences to a book containing our ornament story. I read the description of the year, and we all take turns placing the ornaments on the tree. Our family takes this time together to remember, both the treasured memories and the difficult ones. It brings us together, and sets the tone for the season to come, for no matter what happens in the future, we always have our memories of the past.

For us, Christmas is about family, but more importantly, it is about taking time to celebrate the greatest gift of all, God’s amazing gift to us in His Son, Jesus. We are blessed beyond measure by His goodness, so each year on Christmas morning, we take time to open His Word, before opening any presents, and remember that night so long ago when hope entered the world.

I wouldn’t call my debut novel, Following the Sparrows, a Christmas story, but I do have an unusual Christmas tree decorating scene!

Here’s a short excerpt:

They drove out past the outskirts of town, the hustle and bustle of the shops thinning out into the rolling hills of farmland.

“Where are you taking me?” Kathryn asked.

“Ahh, patience, my dear, patience.” Adam said.

Thirty minutes later, they pulled into a huge farm area. Trees of all sizes were lined in rows, ready for the choosing. Adam kept driving. “Aren’t we going to get out and pick one of these trees?” Kathryn asked.

“No ma’am, we’re going to find our own.” They drove down a dirt road behind the farm and pulled into a grove of pine trees. With the truck’s headlights illuminating the field, Adam swung himself out of the truck and came around to help Kathryn down. She drank in the cool clean air, fragrant with pine.

Trudging through the snow between the trees, Adam stopped at an enormous Douglas Fir. Full and lush, it stood with noble bearing. Adam took the ax from his shoulder.

“It’s gorgeous, but it’s huge.” Kathryn protested as Adam singled out the tree.

“It’s the best one here. It will be perfect.” Adam swung the axe like it was a part of him. With smooth clean strokes, he felled the tree and loaded it into the back of his truck. After he closed the tailgate, he turned around, scooped a handful of snow, and lobbed it straight at Kathryn. She froze for a moment, stunned, but quickly retaliated, and ducked behind a row of trees. Adam chased after her, only to get a face-full of snow thrown at him. Kathryn ran around the trees to the left, and Adam dashed to the right. Soon, they both jumped out from their hiding spots and ran right into each other. Toppling into the snow, Kathryn couldn’t stop laughing. Adam rolled onto the ground next to her.

“You know what we do now, don’t you?” Adam asked.

“Get up and get back in the truck?” Kathryn asked.

“Of course not. First…” Adam moved his arms and legs in the snow.

“Snow angels!” Kathryn exclaimed. She made her own, and stood to admire it.

When she checked out Adam’s, she couldn’t suppress a laugh. “A bit lopsided, don’t you think?”

“Nonsense.” Adam answered. “It’s the perfect angel. Just like me.”

“Ha! Perfect angels don’t throw snowballs at innocent young ladies.” Kathryn said.

“Innocent? I believe I still have snow dripping down my neck, young lady!” Adam laughed.

Kathryn blew on her hands. “My fingers are numb.”

“Ok, time for a truce.” Adam said. “Let’s go back to the main farm and I’ll buy you the world’s best hot chocolate.”

“It’s a deal.”

~~~~~

 If you’d like to read more, you can find it at  https://www.amazon.com/Following-Sparrows-Springs-Karen-Malley-ebook/dp/B08HQZRF8J

You can learn more about me and my writing at https://www.karenmalley.com.

Merry Christmas!


My review of Following the Sparrows: This one kept me riveted from the start. Kathryn and Robert have an outwardly happy marriage, but when he's killed, she realises that things weren't as idylic as they seemed. It's through a chance meeting with Adam that she begins to get her life back on track. Her friendship with Adam deepens as time passes. Guaranteed to make you smile, cry and want to thump the main characters at times, this one is a keeper.

Comments

Karen Malley said…
Thanks for having me here today, Clare!
Carol James said…
Love the ornament idea. We still have some of the original ornaments from our first Christmas in 1974. We also collect ornaments from our travels and hang them on a separate tree. Such sweet memories. Congratulations on your release, Karen.

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