It all happened in the blink of an eye. (No cliché intended.) Actually no, I take that back. It was more like slowmo. Tragic, but inevitable. I'd like to tell you that it was a family heirloom. Or super expensive and exotic. Truth be told, most of the Christmas ornaments that I've collected over the years remain in Michigan. I guess it was never worth it to transport them across a continent and an ocean, especially since we didn't even have a Christmas tree until last year. The handful of actual ornaments I have here mean a lot, I suppose. At least compared to the generic shatter-proof Walmart fill-ins (some of which I've managed to pathetically personalize in the cheapest of creative means) that occupy the rest of the branches. Mike and I have already created a tradition in which we annually purchase our ornament for the year. Plus, I have always added certain items that speak to me, for whatever reason, to my collection. He actually doesn't seem to grasp this yet. Then again, he doesn't know what Christmas treasures are stored in Michigan just waiting to adorn our future (and hopefully real) tree someday. But when we surveilled the aisles of Pier 1 earlier last month I could not help myself. And, to my benefit, he watched that reaction.
It was a little pink glittery elephant.
I have no explanation as to why a pink glittery elephant ornament grabbed my attention so vehemently, but I saw it and wanted it and Mike knew there was no argument to be made. And secretly, I think he liked it too. So although we agreed that it was not "our" ornament for the season, it was going on the tree. And there it stayed until today.
I was careful. I remember reminding myself to be careful. And then there was tinsel. It snagged somehow and I was caught off guard. It flung a little bit. I think I bobbled it for a moment, keeping my hopes up and then CRASH out of nowhere. Beyond repair. My little pink elephant, precious even though bought at Pier 1 under $10.
In all honesty, I didn't realize how attached I was until it's face was smashed into a thousand glittery pieces. I was heartbroken. I broke the news via text to Mike and apparently he was attached as well.
The hunt has been on all day. There are none left on the island so I think I might get one shipped from Kona. It says online that they have 19 available.
When initiating my search I told the Pier 1 employees that I had to replace it cause my 3 year old daughter had picked it out. She apparently loves elephants and her favorite color is pink. I lied cause I'm a grown woman that felt silly trying to desperately search for an ornament that is $1.68 on clearance. And I also secretly enjoyed pretending that I had that little girl that loves elephants and the color pink.
Let's keep our fingers crossed for Kona to come through.
And for someday having a 3 year old daughter like that.
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