A Little Too in My Feels About Ornaments

A few weeks ago, my sister Sarah Kamp invited us to help decorate the Christmas tree at her new place. My 3-year-old was thrilled to help “Aunt Say-Say” and went right to work, garnishing the tree – or rather, garnishing one corner of the tree, 3 feet up from the ground (eye level) – until there were no ornaments left.

We laughed at her cluttered masterpiece, but didn’t touch it. I figured Sarah would “fix it” after we left – I knew I would – but then she sent us this picture a few days later: the final tree, with the ornaments exactly where my daughter left them.

“I’m not moving them,” she texted.

It’s such a weird thing to be touched by, but I’m 6 months postpartum, so I think I get a pass. I’m not sure how to put it into words, but I’ll try: It’s really important for me to create a space where my kids can feel both seen and heard and like their presence matters. I want them to be just as much a part of this world as we are. Yet here I am at home, constantly shoving toys into bins and clearing clutter off counters as if to say, “Look! No kids here!”

I guess it just feels so good to know that someone loves my children enough to let them leave their mark, no matter how messy. Even if it’s just on a Christmas tree, it counts to me – and I know it counts to my daughters, too.