Wish Tree revealed

There was much scampering here over the weekend as we prepared the house for guests and the Wish Tree Ceremony. A pleasant morning date with myself was spent at a local ribbon shop choosing a rainbow of ribbons for those that chose to email their wishes from afar and party attendees. Sweets and I baked a batch of chocolate mint cookies together on Friday night, I made rice crispy treats on Saturday and he pulled off those gorgeous cup(wish)cakes all by himself on Sunday while I did more straightening up around the house.

It was bitterly cold on Sunday as our guests arrived. Yet everyone was in a sweet bubbly mood as we chatted together inside the house waiting for the rest of the crowd to arrive so we could begin the ceremony.

As we spilled out into the cold, scarves tied tightly and bemittened, there was no time for a long speech to start the ceremony. If it had been warmer, I would have taken a few minutes to talk about why I chose to schedule the ceremony for this day. Falling on my late Grams' birthday, I chose to honor her memory in this fun filled way. She would have enjoyed this party as she'd been a guest at many of my parties in the past. Also falling on the weekend that honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., I would have noted that our wishes would be joining the echoes of his dream. The dream that I and so many of us still keep alive today in our hearts and deeds.

With teeth chattering and feet moving to keep warm, my guests eyed me expectantly and I sensed I should get this event moving. I had a basket filled with the envelopes we'd received in the mail along with the loose ribbons I chose. To break the ice, I started with the envelope from Linni of Periwinkle. Somehow she'd found a dozen women to take a moment to make a wish. When I received their package full of bit of gold, stripes and colorful ribbons I was so delighted. I announced these ribbons are from ladies in Chilbolton and Wherwell, Hampshire UK. I encouraged everyone to select a ribbon from the package and tie it on the tree.

Then I opened things up for our guests to tie their own wishes on the tree. The thoughtfulness in choice of ribbons was fantastic. My mother created a fun project for my nephews. In the morning she printed out some images of birds and had the boys color them as they wished. They tied the birds on their wish ribbons. How awesome is that?

After that round, we went back to the basket for the other wishes sent in. Emailed wishes were printed on a slip of paper. Someone chose a wish and ribbon they felt was appropriate for it. For some, like M.Heart,  Jenica and Luzie some suggestions were made for color choices which we respected. I heard many murmurings of names and little exclamations of  "oh,what a nice wish" as the group worked together to hang all the ribbons in the basket. Some of the wishes I heard  were for  an animal companion- a horse, a dog, a rabbit.  Others were for success in careers. A few were for family members who are ill. One was for our next president. Some were cryptically personal. And some were kept secret. The one that made me smile widest was from a little girl who wished to be a mermaid. An ocean blue ribbon was chosen for her.

I was so busy passing out ribbons that I still had my own ribbon hanging around my neck. My friend, Tess, nudged me to go tie mine to the dogwood.  I chose a branch that forked in three directions to tie my purple wish onto tightly. I was so focused on the tying I almost forgot to tell it my wish! I whispered it to the tree just as I finished tying the bow.

Suddenly the basket was empty. All but JPo dashed inside heading toward steaming cups of coffee and tea, a table loaded with treats and company. We lingered outside a few moments longer, shivering, to take more photos. I wanted to take a self portrait for this week Self Portrait Challenge. Pulling off a happening of this sort is a cause for celebration.

For more  of my photos of the day, visit my Flickr  Wish Tree Project set.  Notes are made where possible on whose ribbons are pictured. When my friends photos are available online I'll link to them, too.

Here is a list of  participants in the Wish Tree Project.  Ribbons will fly until the dogwood tree begins to bloom.  You may still send me a ribbon and I will hang it on the tree. Email me for mailing information.  Read the details on The Wish Tree Project if you are not familiar.

For more reasons to celebrate, visit the Self Portrait Challenge community.

 

I want to say thank you to all of you that participated and supported this endeavor. I was surprised how it took off. I hope you are all pleasantly surprised as you find your wishes coming true. Unexpectedly, I received gifts of friendship along with the ribbons.  Carmen sent me some gorgeous bookmarks that she made. Joan enclosed an owl feather for my feather collection in her package. Daisies tucked one of her beautiful photos into her envelope for me.  All of these will be kept and cherished. As well as the new connections I've made with all of you during this project.  When I launched the project, I said there would be goodies for some of the participants. I haven't forgotten and will post soon about the winners.

Thank you for wishing with me.

Comments

[Merrilyn]

Absolutely wonderful. :)

[kristen]

it looks like a fantastic day. the photo of you is so pretty, your eyes are sparkling. i hope to get another opportunity to meet you, i'm sorry i couldn't be there.

[joan]

Thank you.

Thank you for this incredible gift.

Thank you for taking some of the sadness of the day (the passing of Heath)

And Rachel?
You look positively beautiful...

xoxoxo

[daisies]

how absolutely fabulous : ) so good to hear that my ribbon finally arrived and is among all those colourful beauties!

beautiful photo of you!!

[Shannon]

Oh, that picture of you by the wish tree is amazing! I am printing it out and keeping it close by for when I send you good thoughts. Thank you for loving our little (and big) wishes - please send thanks to your friends who helped as well. It brought tears to my eyes.

[Marilyn]

Rachel, this is such a beautiful project...so memorable. I'm honored to have participated. Thank you for sharing these wonderful photos...especially the one of you with the ribbons flying in the background. xoxo

[caroline]

That is so beautiful! What a wonderful project this was :) I loved reading about all those people coming over and doing it together. Thank you so much, sweetie - you look radiant in that photo! xoxo

[nicole]

this was such an amazing thing for you to do rachel. i just love you for it! thank you for taking good care of my secret wish, tying my ribbon on with care, and sending my wish free out into the universe.

xo

[jenica]

my eyes get all misty thinking about this!

thank you.