The Queen Reigns...

Val's Floral Boutique made a regal Queen

out of a little Princess.
Details in her decorations.

Gazing towards her crown.

Queen Sapora in all her beauty.

A few posts ago I told you about Sapora (Sappy, for short) Spruce and her venture to The Forest Centre atrium. She sat awaiting her decorators and dressers, awaiting her transformation into the queen she knew she would one day be.

Val's Floral Boutique, a little flower shop in Carlton Court Plaza, was given the opportunity to use their creative gifts, and use them, they did! Boxes in hand they arrived one morning and one by one, out came enormous red-bowed sugar cones, white feathered birds of paradise, green and red sparkly bows, feathered straw clutching red poinsettias, shiny clustered golden balls, tiny glittered pine cones and a myriad of white and pale blue twinkling lights. They hovered like worker bees over their queen, bringing to her awaiting branches delicate ornaments and grand sweeps of colored bows and straw.

Sapora relished in the fuss they were making over her. Never in her young years would she have imagined how her life would have turned out. She knew she was destined for greatness but this was so much more than she had dreamed of. It was finally finished.....or was it??!!

It seemed like nothing more was happening. Sapora felt beautiful. She could see herself reflected in the surrounding glass windows and yes, she really was beautiful. But there was something more going on around her. Oh, yes....she was getting a crown....on top of her lovely head, she was being presented with her royal crown of several red poinsettias holding a three-pronged staff of golden colored Christmas balls.

Sapora was the reigning Queen of the Forest Centre and she stood proudly and beautifully for all to see. This was what mother had been talking to her about. This was her moment to shine and to humbly accept all the praise and admiration of all who came to view her gloriousness. She stood alone, proudly knowing that this was her destiny. Her remaining days would be ones of celebration and singing and happiness and she was up for it.

Sapora heard people comment on her beauty, some came and took pictures, and others said they would write down their thoughts on paper telling the story of how a princess became a Queen. She wanted to be remembered by all and she prayed that people would somehow enjoy the Spirit of Christmas as they stood around her branches.....that a Spirit of peace would settle on those who came to see her and too, a Spirit of hope, a belief in something larger than themselves, a Spirit that says to all...."We can be changed from what we are into something much more beautiful than we ever imagined!"

And so it was....from Sappy Spruce...to Queen Sapora.....a real Christmas transformation.

Then I remembered the reason we celebrate this season. Yes, it was for me to be changed into something more beautiful, more grace-filled, more humble and peaceful....from the inside out.

God, let it be so!