Tuesday, December 1, 2020

Save a Tree, Save Our Joy

    

    It took some planning and an early morning wake-up to ensure that all four members of the family would be present to decorate our Christmas tree this year.  I have to say it is a beauty, 10’ and perfectly shaped.  Afterward, we sat around watching a Christmas movie before we all went our separate ways. My son went back to college, my daughter went to a soccer game, and my husband and I worked on projects around the house.  

    Later that day, we discovered that our tree was either extremely thirsty or the base was leaking.  The water was gone, and the rug was undeniably wet.  The either/or was clear.  At first, we thought it was impossible to fix.  We would just have to deal with it.  However, I realized that we needed to save that tree or our fragile joy would be destroyed.  I did not care if I had to dismantle it and put it back together myself.  That was my plan.

    Scott went to the store and found the same base, so I stopped taking the tree apart. That meant it would be a quick change.  However, it was a three-person job.  Scott held the giant aloft while Ashley swiped the old base out.  I then replaced it with the new stand, and with a little adjusting, our tree was back in place and all was right again.  

    This year the little things mean so much more to me.  The time we spent together picking and decorating the tree was precious.  It represents the commitment to and love for our family and our traditions.  It holds our ornaments and memories of loved ones, adventures, passions, and milestones.  It shines and brings us joy as we end this crazy year.  


8 comments:

  1. First, welcome to our community of writers, Heather!

    Second, your tree is gorgeous! I'm glad you found a fast fix (though not an easy one) to solve the problem. I hope you have many more wonderful moments together, as a family, around the tree this year.

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    1. Thank you! I am excited to be a part of your community.

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  2. Heather, I'm glad it was a quick fix! That's the sort of thing that can ruin one's day, but it sounds like the positive memories of the day will win out. Welcome to SOL!

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    1. Thank you! Yes, the positives mean more than in past years. While a difficult year, it has taught me to focus on and cherish the little things

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  3. Heather, the tree is beautiful, and I completely understand what you are saying about the little things meaning so much more this year. (As I write this comment, the rain is coming down hard, and I'm enjoying the sound of it hitting the window.)

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  4. Welcome, Heather! And congratulations on fixing your tree! I hope it gives you hours of joy this season.

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  5. I could imagine the precarious nature of this switch-a-roo. Glad it went smoothly. It truly is a time to cherish special moments and traditions.

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  6. Welcome to Slice of Life Heather. Your story of preserving your tree is touching and relatable. I am always amazed at how much trees drink when they first come in from being cut. Good thing you noticed it! Enjoy your tree! Carol from The Apples in My Orchard blog (cannot get the URL link to pop up).

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