December 8, 2005
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Edited to add and on a totally unrelated and personal note: InkStainedFingers you need to check in.
I just got my tree up, and I do believe it’s the most beautiful tree I’ve had in a very long time. One of the reasons is that it’s full enough on the bottom to require three strings of lights. And it’s tall enough that the lights are spread out properly. It’s a grand fir but they clipped some of the ends so it doesn’t look as interesting as it might [read furled]. I wondered if that would bother me but the ends must have darkened up because I can’t tell.
The oldest had to come over and help me roll it off the top of the car where it spent the night. I went back to this place up the street where they’d been so accommodating last year. I remember it rained so instead of mucking around with a saw and no man I let those nice boys help me tie a delicate noble on top of the car.
Yesterday I seemed to forget about the no-man part because, when he offered to cut the bottom off an eight-foot tree and sell it to me for $35, I jumped up and down and said, “I’ll take it.” This was after they’d unwrapped three grand firs, looking for a six-footer with a big base. None of those skinny-assed trees for me.
When he seemed to have trouble hefting it up onto the rack I said,
“How much do you suppose that weighs?”
“Oh, maybe 70 pounds.”
“Shit, what was I thinking?”
“Are you going to be able to get it down?”
“Oh, yeah, I’m fine.”
My oldest daughter called last night and volunteered to come help so we spent the afternoon decorating it while the fire crackled and the Christmas music I’ve drug out for the last 20 years played in the background. It was just like old times.
She looked up at the interesting top and I assured her it would be covered up.
“Oh, yeah, the angel with the skirt.”
“No, I left that for you guys. I left all my Christmas stuff.”
She got it. And it was so different from last year because I remember standing in front of that little noble asking her if she wanted to help decorate. She picked up some ornaments I’d found at an estate sale and said, “I’ve never even seen this stuff.” She declined. This wasn’t Christmas to her. I thought it seemed odd (not to mention, mean) since it was the same “stuff” I’d been accumulating and using on the last four trees since I’d left. But I think it’s harder on older kids because they have more memories; they’re more vested in memories.
She had a good time playing our old music and planning the Christmas dinner. This will be the first time in her whole life we haven’t gone to my sister’s and endured a depressing dinner. So we are looking forward to our new tradition. I asked her what she wanted to serve. One by one the old standbys made the list. I guess the fiance likes a less traditional menu
Comments (18)
Absolutely! Ditch the depressing dinner with the depressing relatives.
Christmas round the world, now that’s a menu I’d like to see. RYC: I am my own heroine, which is the problem not the solution
Prudy, I can visualize the struggle from atop the car. Kudos for you for getting the real tree! For the last 20 years I’ve stuck with artificial as I don’t like the mess. But I thought how nice it would be to have that wonderful smell wafting thru the house.
Adult children love the feeling of memories and reliving them. I remember being 21, very pregnant and not mentioning that Santa Claus did not exist. Christmas is so magical. I love new traditions. My stepson and son hated holiday meals so we made up our own complete with chocolate cake. It became a tradition to build that cake every year. Now our tradition is to go out for steaks on Christmas Eve as that is something we can rarely afford.
Have fun! I’m rambling as it’s still early….Hugs, Lana
How wonderful! My Christmas decorations are all in storage, and there’s no room where we are for a tree this year- so I especially enjoyed reading this. This year, for the first time since 2002, I’ll get to be with my kids on Christmas Day, well, late in the night when their Dad drops them off. That’ll be the best gift of all! *hugs xo
a mixture of old and new make tight bonds! nice to read about yours! so? what are you making?????
The girls were 3 and 6 when we divorced so the youngest has NO memories pre-divorce pretty much. We started our gingerbread houses, always the start of “the season” for us, and I pulled out the Christmas CDs. One that’s become a tradition is a compilation my niece made for us with “The Grinch” on it. That and my old Dr. Demento album.
I was thinking this year I might want to actually buy some ornaments. I’m not ready for a “theme” but some of the old handmade ones I’ve collected through the years (from long before the girls were born, when I was the one making them) are getting a bit worn looking. Glad you guys have found your peace with old and new traditions.
The only decorations i need is the X-mas tree poster
This is my fav time of year…you just never know the gifts you get. Nice memory made.
Again, my heart aches for home as I read your post. Your posts offers me a warm and cozy place to be when I am so far away from my daughters and my life as it use to be.
Thank you again for you supporting comments. The painting is mine; it is several years old. And the writing Do I Want…is also mine, written yesterday while in a reflective mood. And yes one day I will write my story…somewhere down the road; perhaps after a few more bus trips.
It sounds delightful, the tree, the music, the itneraction with your daughter.
I think its true of childhood memories and until we create ones as adults in these situations, nothing ever feels the same or holiday-ish enough. It took me awhile to get over some of the old things and create new ones.
I will say though that I only se ornaments that were given to me, or that Jeff and I have purchased together (the one a yr thing). My family had a theme for each child, mine was angels and when we all left, we all took ours along. I wonder if my siblings still have theirs.
I still have my first ones from ’73, it’s still written in marker on the bottoms.
and oddly…now that im posting in your post, im crying…
thank you, i needed this:))
I love the visual when you say No skinny-assed tree for Me…too funny. I know what you mean about the old ornaments but I took mine with me…actually once I got with Dave we purchased alllll new ones so I don’t use the others anymore with the exception of a few handmade, third grade project type. So glad the oldest is jumping in with suggestions and help, sure makes for better times together. marilyn
Sounds like a beautiful tree! Enjoy it, and your holiday season!
New traditions – I love it.
Give us the menu! And pictures of the tree! And We Wish You a Merry Christmas We Wish You a Merry Christmas We Wish You a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
I agree about pictures Pru, we need pictures. Hey about the herbs that Joel suggests. They aren’t like that, they are made by a company that he works with, all of them are combinations, some of which I have never, ever heard of. sorry…marilyn
It may be that the good is starting to creep in past all the adjustment. I know when we sold the house my kids grew up in all of them were simply not going to like the one weve built…..a year later it feels like home to them. Christmas comes to live with a nice tree. RYC…I have been most fortunate indeed….
What a great post! What’s on the menu?
Methinks that tree would require an addition to my house. We managed to squeeze in a 3 footer and we’re psyched!
Thanks for welcoming me back!