On a snowy November day, in Powell River, B.C., Lana Cullis and her daughter Kit were organizing tree ornaments, each taking their share for their own Christmas tree. Kit, who now lives independently, was eager to decorate her own tree. For Lana, unpacking the ornaments brought back memories of the numerous foster children they had cared for over the years, as well as the losses and grief associated with those who were no longer part of their holiday celebrations.
Their family had grown and shrunk over eight years, welcoming and saying goodbye to 23 foster children. Amidst the temporary placements, Lana and her husband had adopted two children. Sorting through the ornaments, Lana was surprised to see how Kit remembered the stories behind each homemade ornament, even for those she had never met. Their holiday memories differed in many ways, highlighting the unique perspectives each of them held.
Opening a box revealed a tree topper from Lana’s first Christmas with her husband, now cracked but held together with Krazy Glue. Passing it to Kit, Lana wondered if she would cherish it despite its fragile state. Kit’s eyes sparkled as she happily accepted the angel, recalling her childhood wish to be tall enough to place it atop the tree.
Another ornament, a Santa sleigh and reindeer combo, crafted by an eight-year-old foster child years ago, stirred mixed emotions in Lana. The child, who had a special place in their hearts, had left their home under difficult circumstances. Kit, sensing Lana’s emotions, reminisced about how they used to play with the ornament and admired the flames made of red pipe cleaners, reminiscent of a movie scene.
As they continued decorating, Lana reflected on how they had always strived to make the holidays inclusive for their foster children. They had established traditions to ensure the children felt loved and valued, including giving each child a unique ornament to keep as a memento. These traditions had created lasting memories, like the Santa and reindeer ornament made by their foster son.
Uncovering more ornaments, including a reindeer made of pompoms, Lana recalled past divisions of ornaments during her divorce. Despite the challenges, she had ensured that each child had a piece of their shared history. Kit’s appreciation for the traditions and memories attached to the ornaments brought a new perspective for Lana, showing her the resilience and strength her daughter had gained from their experiences.
This year’s tree decorating held a different meaning for Lana, as she anticipated the joy and positivity that Kit’s perspective would bring. Looking forward to seeing Kit’s tree adorned with memories and stories, Lana embraced the new chapter in their holiday traditions.