This is the tree. It is a little taller than the television remote. Now, all you nay sayers can relax. I am ready for Christmas. This time of year is not one of my best times. I remember when I was in grade school and each class had a Christmas tree all decorated and festooned for the occasion. At the end of the last day before Christmas break one of the little Bartholomew kids would get to take the tree home from their classroom. It was a really big deal! I remember dragging it home when I got it. It had pieces of tinsel clinging to it's branches and it was wonderful! I was so proud! And momma added to it as she thanked me for bringing it because we surely would not have had one if not for me! Needless to say she showered the same praise on whichever one of us brought the tree home.
And then I was grown up and I was the momma struggling to give my kids a Merry Christmas. Some how it always happened. The jobs I worked were never big on Christmas Bonuses, but I always seemed to manage. The kid's dad was always big on Christmas so that helped. I do recall borrowing money at the last minute one year at a very high interest rate and dashing to the stores with my friend Gibby Fields in tow to fill the Santa list. Now be real here! Have you ever gone shopping on Christmas eve? That is akin to a bomb being tossed into the store and blowing all the toys out the window.
But we survived and my kids grew up to teach their kids about Santa. So when I married Kenny and had time on my hands I decided to make all the grandsons Dinosaurs for Christmas since that was the rage. (I thought!) I think I made the girls Care Bears. The kids were all thrilled until I handed the last one to the grandson who shall remain nameless for this tale. I was especially proud of it because it was a Brontosaurs and as such was the biggest package. His eyes lit up as he ripped into the package. When he saw what it was, he threw it to the floor and burst into tears. I was astounded and perplexed. His father laughed and said, "Oh, he wanted a transformer!"
I think that was the year, I quit believing in Santa Claus and started just putting money in envelopes. I have now advanced to hiding in my house and hoping Christmas does not see me here alone with my peas and porridge. The kids are all grown and have kids and grandkids of their own along with the customs they have inherited mostly from their dad. I am good with that.
I will go to church on Christmas Eve because that is what it is all about when everything is said and done. The baby in the manger is what brings us all to the foot of the cross. That is my Christmas cheer and to all my friends and acquaintances out there I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and prosperous New Year.
May the road rise to meet you and the wind be ever at your back.
Peace!
