Picture-perfect ornaments: Remembering loved ones during the holiday

Shelby Gilje Seattle, Wash. About two decades ago when beloved elders began dying off in my family and that of my husband, I happened upon a magazine article that seemed like a nice way to keep their memories alive, especially during the holidays. The writer suggested buying tiny frames and adding pictures of family members past and present to decorate the Christmas tree. Thus began my collection. A wag asked if one had to be deceased to make an appearance on my tree. “Absolutely not!” I said. So when I decorate with the collection there are my four granddaughters—Analise and Kristina, twins, now 14; Chloe, 12; and Olivia, 10—at various ages and stages, sometimes missing teeth, sometimes in tears. Plus long-departed ancesto