Amy Winn – The Miraculous Beauty that Saved Christmas

The high points of Christmas during my growing up years in northwest Iowa were the stunning creations Mother produced for our tree and the giddiness of so many packages under that tree. The low points of the story are that the Christmas tree decorating was not a communal event. It was Mother’s art project, not to be sullied by a child’s lack of ability to follow the master plan. And all those presents under the tree? The beauty of the wrapping far outweighed the randomness and unsuitability of the items enclosed.
Then one glorious moment in my early teen years changed the trajectory of my attitude toward Christmas. I spoke so emotionally when I last visited with all of you about my very unpleasant upbringing and how I have worked to change those ingrained negative emotions into gratitude. The above mentioned “glorious moment” was instrumental for me to move from that darkness into a life of joy.
I am working on the title of Most Retirements that Didn’t Last. I’ve been a manager of all sorts of businesses, sole owner of an organizing business, a therapist, and a volunteer coordinator. Let the adventures continue!