December 20, 2008
Memories
My brother reminded me of the Christmas my dad cut the top of a cedar tree (we called them Christmas trees then) to use as our tree. I am thinking now that money was probably tight that Christmas and cutting down this scraggly tree from the woods was something necessary. We would have never known that; here I am today listing it as one of my favorite Christmas memories.
I remember following my dad through the cold afternoon looking for a cedar tree, one that would fit in the living room and one that had enough sturdy branches to hold glass ornaments and a couple of strings of Christmas lights. I remember trailing behind and there was not much talking, just walking in the cold searching. I suppose, now, that he was on a assignment to get this tree, it was probably Saturday, a day off from work, and he had much else to do.
Anyway, I recall being totally excited about the whole thing. This tree from the woods was exciting to me, it was not about not having enough, it was about the uniqueness of the journey. From my point of view, it was one of the best trees we ever had. Later, there would be beautiful trees from nurseries, furs especially grown for Christmas, but none as magical as the top of that giant cedar that my dad struggled to topple and would sit in our living room that Christmas. I could not tell you what gift I opened that year, I can only tell you about that tree and my dad. There is a lesson here. We all know it is never about the “stuff”; it is about the love.
Till next time,
p.s.
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