I am the product of a mixed marriage. Mother embraced Christmas with all the enthusiasm of a four-year-old while Daddy had to be pulled, kicking and fighting into the season, dreading the ruckus and expense. Mother felt the Christmas tree had to be up no later than December 18, to get maximum joy from it. Daddy dawdled around as long as possible, insisting December 22 was the earliest it could go up. He always put it off until Mother was about to blow a gasket.
Finally, he’d hook the trailer to his old tractor, fetch his power saw and call us to all pile on for the search. We’d bump over rutted farm trails, hanging on for dear life. Mother and Phyllis would be clinging to the little ones while Mother yelled for Daddy to take it slow. Daddy had plenty of kids and assured Mother we were having a great time as we clutched the rails. Most of the time we were. Before long, we’d be combing through several groves while Daddy rejected tree after tree. Finally, he’d steer us toward the one he’d earmarked weeks or months earlier.
The roar of his power saw signaled the fall of the tree. Sometimes, Mother wouldn’t be quite satisfied and would bring home an extra, which she wired together with the first to make it fuller.
Eventually, the tree trimming was complete, every ball, string of tinsel, and special ornament in place. Mother garnished it with shimmering fiberglass angel hair. Every year when the lights came on, we oohed and ah’ed our gorgeous tree, assuring ourselves that this year’s was the most beautiful we’d ever had.
Reblogged this on Nutsrok and commented:
Reblog of an old post.
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What magical memories. I love decorating the Christmas tree 🙂
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I never liked doing the tree, but I love Christmas.
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such a sweet story and love the picture!
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Thanks. Can’t take credit for pic. It is from an old Christmas Card.
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I love this ❤
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Hey thanks.
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Christmas does give us wonderful memories. Thanks for sharing. ❤ ❤ 😀
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Great memory to share! I can relate that the Christmas tree gets prettier each year. 🙂
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In our house it was just the opposite. Mom haaaaated Christmas and Dad ….well Dad just liked to celebrate. To this day I have to fight to get Mom to put up a tree and the action never fails to bring out a “Oh God I can’t wait until Christmas is over.”
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I guess everyone finds their partner.
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Such sweet memories, thanks for sharing!
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Thanks.
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By the way, a heartfelt thanks from me to you! xoxoxo
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Hope you are feeling good.
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Pretty good better xxxxx
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