The upcoming holiday season is a time a year in which we look forward to unwrapping and spotlighting our most treasured and memory-producing mementos. In the celebratory tradition of the trimming of the tree, memories will soon abound.

The focus of this years Tree of Life, hosted by Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, is the celebration of life.

The featured ornament is in the shape of a dogwood leaf, and each one will be imprinted with the year 2009 and the name of a loved one being honored or remembered. This keepsake ornament will then join the ranks or those treasured mementos, packed away each year in January, or left out as a constant reminder of someone important to us.

I look at life as a tree, says Diane Nelson, Development Manager at Hospice. Were all leaves, and we are all constantly contributing on some level, whether were still attached, nurturing and giving, or have fallen, and are nurturing the soil. We are all connected in some way, and the leaves are created to encompass this truism. It is our hope that in the upcoming weeks the dogwood leaves will allow for reflection upon those who are alive, as well as those who have passed on.

Local artist and Hospice volunteer Linda Wulff hand-creates the ornaments from freshly collected dogwood leaves. Each individual leaf is rolled in clay, then cut out, stamped, kiln-fired and individually glazed.

Ornaments may be reserved now through December 1, through the giving of a donation of any amount, and special order forms are available around the area: Vines & Stuff in Tryon, Giardinis in Columbus, Hare & Hound and Stone Soup in Landrum, the Hospice Administration & Program Center in Columbus, Hospice Thrift Barn and Smith Phayer Hospice House in Landrum.

Order forms are also available online and in the upcoming issue of Hospice Horizons, HoCFs quarterly community newsletter. Call 828.894.700 or 800.617.7132 to be added to the mailing list, or to ask for a form.

The Tree of Life celebration will be held at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, December 8, at the Hospice Administration & Program Center in Columbus.

For more information on purchasing an ornament or making a donation in memory or honor of someone to whom you wish to extend a very special recognition, call Diane Nelson or Maureen Murphy at Hospice of the Carolina Foothills at 828-894-7000 or 1-800-617-7132.