Our story opens to the joyful screams of three little girls. Earlier in the day they went shopping for a Christmas tree. They agreed upon a selection, which is surprising since they rarely agree on anything. It must have been in the spirit of Christmas. It was a beautiful Scotch Pine ... So green, so tall and nicely fat. After purchasing the tree, they went to the store and picked out all the decorations that would be placed on the beautiful tree. Globes of red and gold, shining garland, petite red and gold bows. Such classic tastes for such young souls. You see, this year the tree was their project.

 

 

 

 

Now, back to the joyful screams. The three little girls danced and sang as the strung the lights around the tree albeit a lopsided effort. Next came the garland strung around the tree haphazardly. Then it was time for the decorations .... the gold and red bulbs.... the old fashioned Santas and toys, the bows and tassels. Some in clumps, others with huge gaps between them. This was very hard for the regimented adults to watch. It was difficult to keep from directing the joyful girls on how to place the ornaments correctly. But, as the last ornament was hung it was time for the finishing touch. The star. A chair was dragged in from the kitchen and one of the joyous girls perched herself just right to attach this glowing topper. With just a little assistance from one of the adults - the tree was complete. Even though the tree wasn't picture perfect and even though the it leaned a bit to the side from the heaviness of too many ornaments on that side ........ This tree was beautiful.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The adults had to sit back and take in the entire experience. Three little girls, so happy to be in charge of one of the most important parts of Christmas ..... so proud of their design ..... so proud of seeing the tree they picked out and the decorations they picked out adorning this structure of sparkling beauty. There was no prettier tree to be seen. This tree was being viewed as it should be ..... through the eyes, excitement and imagination of children.

 

 

After the girls calmed down from the fun and excitement of decorating it was time for bed. As the night progressed and the children slept, the house was quiet and peaceful. The adults were almost ready to call it a night as well when "Cat"astrophe struck. With a swishing thud followed by the sound of shattered ornaments, there laid the beautiful tree. All their hard work now on the floor in a heap. There was no explanation for this disaster other than the three very guilty looking felines that scattered when we approached.

 

 

 

 

Suspects one and two.......... suspect three was no where to be found.

 

 

As the adults assessed the damage their hearts broke. But they knew what had to be done. First.......the tree was stood back up and straightened and secondly, it was tied to the frame around the window - so this wouldn't happen again. Next the heap of lights, ornaments and garland were detangled. The glass was cleaned up and the redecoration began. But, this year it was different. Even though by accident the adults were getting to decorate the tree, it was approached differently. They weren't as worried with perfect placement and alignment of things. They weren't worried in what people would think when they saw the tree...... All they were worried about was those three little girls waking up and still being thrilled with the way the tree looked.

When the girls awoke they didn't seem to notice the subtle differences. They still sat on the floor and stared at the lights and the glistening ornaments. Everything was as it should be. It took three little girls to remind two hardened, stressed out adults about the innocence and delight of Christmas.

 

 

 

 

One humorous thing that happened after all this ....... My sister couldn't find her cell phone ...... she asked me to call it so we could track it down. I called it and suddenly the song "Dream On" by Aerosmith began singing from......... you guessed it ...... the Christmas tree. Apparently when it fell it swiped it off the edge of the table and was stuck in the middle of the branches. It gave us a good laugh after all the trauma

 

Happy Holidays Everyone

 

 

Main Menu