A tree, soon
Dec. 21st, 2002 03:03 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
hel_anaMy parents are out getting the tree for our living room. As always, it will be a real tree. And as always, it will undoubtedly be crooked, with a blank spot somewhere on it. Mother Nature just isn't as good at symmetry as Tree Classics. Or maybe She just cares less.
Normally, we have friends and family over to decorate the tree. This year, it's just Mom, Dad, and me. Trevor's in Calgary, Pete's not well so Kathleen's staying at home, and Grandma is over at my aunt's place. It's kind of weird not to have a party.
My dad likes to tell the story about one year when Kathleen and I were small when we had a bunch of people, including a number with kids our age. When the tree was done, it was covered with ornaments --- on the lower 4 feet of the tree. Above that, it was pretty much an open field. But, as he points out, the kids had a wonderful time, and he still remembers that tree because of it.
But the meaning of Christmas is found at that point when you realize that perfection in presentation is completely unimportant compared to the joy found in watching a bunch of kids have a wonderful time decorating the tree the way they want to.. not the way they're "supposed" to.
In case anyone's unsure, there's nothing I'd like for Christmas more than to be with my little family, with a tree that was joyously but inexpertly decorated by little hands, and to snuggle with Ross while we watched the kids open presents on Christmas morning beside that tree.
Normally, we have friends and family over to decorate the tree. This year, it's just Mom, Dad, and me. Trevor's in Calgary, Pete's not well so Kathleen's staying at home, and Grandma is over at my aunt's place. It's kind of weird not to have a party.
My dad likes to tell the story about one year when Kathleen and I were small when we had a bunch of people, including a number with kids our age. When the tree was done, it was covered with ornaments --- on the lower 4 feet of the tree. Above that, it was pretty much an open field. But, as he points out, the kids had a wonderful time, and he still remembers that tree because of it.
But the meaning of Christmas is found at that point when you realize that perfection in presentation is completely unimportant compared to the joy found in watching a bunch of kids have a wonderful time decorating the tree the way they want to.. not the way they're "supposed" to.
In case anyone's unsure, there's nothing I'd like for Christmas more than to be with my little family, with a tree that was joyously but inexpertly decorated by little hands, and to snuggle with Ross while we watched the kids open presents on Christmas morning beside that tree.
