I have a Love/Hate relationship with my Christmas Tree
From childhood up till 5 yrs. ago, nothing but a LIVE Christmas tree was allowed in the house. Some of my BEST childhood memories were going to Hale's Christmas Tree farm in West Virginia, picking out the perfect tree, my Daddy cutting down the tree, carrying it home on top of the car and watching my Dad wrestle with an old fashioned stand...a board nailed to the bottom of the tree!
Who remembers these silver trees from the 60's with a color wheel!!
5 yrs. ago, #1 husband and I contracted the Nashville flu (at least that's what we call it. 3 weeks before Christmas,we went to see the Rockettes Christmas Spectacular at the Opryland Theater in Nashville, Tenn. and by the time Baby Jesus was born and the Three Wise Men sauntered down the auditorium aisle, we had the full blown FLU.
Needless to say, neither of us felt like putting up Christmas decorations, much less a Christmas Tree. The Corner of the Den where the tree ALWAYS stands, remained vacant while Ma and Pa sat lay in their matching recliners too sick to pass the remote. The offspring were more concerned about there being no Christmas tree than they were that Ma and Pa were on their death bed.
Finally, Baby Girl and #1 daughter felt compelled to put the tree up themselves while we supervised from the cheap seats recliners.
This is not my home, I just loved this wall hanging!
It was from this point on that I have felt no love for anything regarding the "putting up" of the Yuletide Tree. #1 husband and I have figured out if we leave "the tree corner" flagrantly EMPTY, sort of like a Christmas tree version of "chicken", two of the three offspring will swerve and decorate the tree for us. #1 son could care less but would put it up if we asked. The girls, being girls, just know it has to be done. It's one of the perks of having girls. Sons are usually not the sentimental type. Know what I mean?
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| courtesy of Carol T. aka mamacjt |
Our contribution to "putting up the Tree" is getting the tree out of storage, into the bed of the Ford 150, up the front steps of the Farmhouse, and into THE CORNER! We're thinking that next year if we play our cards just right, we may figure out a way to connive hand over this chore as well especially since I don't see us chopping down a tree anytime soon.
A children's Book
A Season in Poem's and Quilts
A must read for every quilter
Once the tree is decorated, I love touching each ornament and reminiscing about where we were, what we were doing, or what the ornament represents. I love sitting in the evening with just the light of the tree, a good cup of coffee, and Christmas music in the background,
or better yet....
watching a New Episode of NCIS, NCIS L.A., Person of Interest, Blue Bloods, The Mentalist, or Criminal Minds (my 6 TOP watched shows)
NCIS 150th episode celebration
Thus,
As much as I loved putting up the Christmas tree when I was little and as the children were growing up and all home under one roof, my "LOVE" of the Christmas Tree is more After the fact...AFTER my girls have swooped in and saved me from a Treeless Christmas. I get to enjoy all the perks of having a tree without all the yuck.... the yuck of being reminded that my children are all grown, that my mother has been gone 8 Christmas's now, that I'm reduced to getting my tree out of a storage building rather than being cut down while on a family outing, that there will be no little ones waiting for Santa on Christmas Eve at my house, and that I can no longer hear the bell ring (watch Polar Express to understand this metaphor).
HOWEVER,
Once the Tree is up, I'm reminded that long ago, a child was born of a Virgin, in a manger, lived a sinless perfect life, was crucified at age 33, was buried in a borrowed tomb, arose the third day and sits at the right hand of the Father....all because I NEEDED A SAVIOR.
I NEEDED HIS GRACE
THANK YOU JESUS
Here are some Beautiful Christmas Trees I found online for your viewing pleasure
O CHRISTMAS TREE
MERRY CHRISTMAS
GMAMA JANE
