This is not an ordinary Christmas tree. This tree (though you may not be able to tell at first glance) is perfect. It is our tree, the one that grew to just the right size and then waited for us to find it. Every year there is one and only one tree for us, and we always find it, we always do. And it is perfect. Every year.
See those little red bows, like the notes of a perfect song, scattered over the branches? Those bows are from our first Christmas spent in this house, which was newly built with purpose and unfailing energy, and mostly by our own hands. I made those bows from a fat spool of ribbon and some gold thread that I bought at the Christmas Tree Shops for practically nothing, because we had so little money that year (the house had eaten most of what we had). And though, they’re hard to pick out in the photo, there are the wicker ornaments, swirled in strands of red and green thread, that we got on our belated Mexican honeymoon just weeks before.
Our life together hangs on that tree. The Boy’s first dough ornaments; the clay ornaments I made; favorite friends Pikachu and Woody (who still swings his lariat from one of the branches); tiny lockets that hold our Boy’s sweet face with forever smiles at ages two, and five, and seven. The places we’ve been and the things we’ve seen. All of them carried home to remember the fun: The Pinocchio and nutcrackers with movable legs; the crowns and the stars and the snowy white owl; a streetcar emblazoned with the year we saw San Francisco. A clown on a unicycle found in a shop that we’d stepped into to escape the frigid Montreal air.
Our family and our friends, the ones still living, and those who have gone, are there. In ornaments hand made and store bought, given in love and accepted with gratitude.
Our tree is perfect because it reminds us of what we have and what we’ve shared. When the Boy was small, the bedtime ritual once the tree went up, was to turn off all the lights, save the ones on the tree, and then the three of us sat together and admired the tree. My husband and I still do this some nights, though the Boy is gone to a place of his own. We sit sometimes, in the glow of the lights, nostalgic as parents of grown children often are. And, even in that there is perfection.
We are blessed.
May you all be, as well.
A Wilderness of Words 
Merry Christmas Mary and I agree, the tree is perfect!
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Thank you, Mae. And a warm Merry Christmas to you!
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Wow, it definitely looks perfectly perfect to me! One of the things I’ve always liked about being nearsighted is that Christmas trees look really beautiful with my glasses off. Have you ever tried that? It gets all soft and fuzzy and glowy. 🙂
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Ha! I remove my glasses before looking in a mirror and get the same exact effect! No bags, sags, or wrinkles!!
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This is such a lovely post, Mary, and made me smile. You have captured the meaning of Christmas, at least for me … quiet moments of memory and happy reflection with those you love. I hope this Christmas is a lovely one (and yes, the tree is perfect!)
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Thanks, LB! It was indeed a lovely Christmas, starting with my son, my husband, and I “admiring’ the tree right after I got done writing this post. Merry Christmas to you and yours!
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A lovely post, Dear Mary. And, Yes: a perfect tree. Merry Christmas, Dear Friend–to You, and Bob, and Mr. J. Looking forward to more of your delightful posts in 2014.
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You are a wonderful friend, for which I am grateful – on Christmas and every day. xox to you and Ray!
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Blessed by this post, Mary! I hope your Christmas was perfect! In every way…
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Thank you, Cathy. And I hope you are getting used to the cold again. Enjoy the rest of the holiday week. Warm wishes for the new year, my friend!
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Your post is perfect – just like the tree.
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Thank you, Ronnie. I do hope your Christmas was a lovely as you are. You are a treasure, and I have so enjoyed your friendship. Happy New Year!
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I couldn’t resist commenting on this, despite my ill health. Such a lovely post, Mary, and as always you have a tender and soothing way of connecting with your readers.
The tree really looks beautiful. Here, we love having one around ’cause it signifies growth and good things still to come. Aside from that the lights it does throw out gives a Christmassy feel–I don’t get that with ordinary patterns of light.
Merry Christmas, Mary. And a wonderful 2014 to you and your family. I appreciate you did stop by my blog to wish me well.
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Dear Uzo, I hope you are taking good care of yourself. I appreciate your kind remarks, and you taking the time to convey them. Merry Christmas to you, and I hope that the new year is one of renewed vigor and good health.
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I love this post. I hope every person/family feels that way about their tree.
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Thank you, Kitt. It’s really what Christmas is all about, isn’t it?! Happy New Year!
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Beautifully written. You have captured the essence of the traditional importance to Christmas. Our Christmas seeped of trinkets and what-nots that each told a story. As with your tree, these items represented current activities and people and also things associated with those passed. We love all of our bits and pieces and the crazy but essential traditions that go with this joyous time. Not least of which is the “It’s a bit dry” Christmas cake. It is an absolute given that one of the many attendees at our Christmas celebrations will be responsible and have the privilege, of remarking “It’s a bit dry” when the first slices of cake are handed out. Will not and cannot change a thing. Enjoy your Christmas and Happy New Year.
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Thank you, Bristlehound, for the comments and sharing your Christmas traditions, and the “It’s a bit dry” cake. A very Happy New Year to you as well.
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That tree’s branches hold your lives, literally. So beautiful.
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Mary, it is a perfect tree. May the blessings of Christmas continue and follow you into the New Year. I hope the Boy was able to join you for looking at the tree this year, if not I am certain he missed it. Best wishes. Clay
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Unbelieveable!
Looks amazing!
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