Yesterday, my daughter, son-in-law and newest grandson, Jascha, went in search for my Christmas tree. I have to have a real tree - it is just important to me. As a young child, we didn't have a Christmas tree on Christmas. At times we decorated the fireplace at my Grandmother's house and then a little later, my Grandmother did get one of those artificial silver trees with the revolving color light that changes the silver to green, blue, red and yellow. Oh, I enjoyed rocking in my rocking chair watching the colors change on the shimmering tree. It was pretty, but, in my heart I always wished we had a real tree.
The first year I was married, my husband and I bought a tree for my Grandmother. We picked it out, took it over to her house, set it up and decorated it. I don't believe we told her we were going to before we did it - it was like my surprise to her - I was giving her something that I just knew she had always wanted. Looking back I'm not sure she was all that excited about it. Oh, she smiled and let us put it up. But come to think it, her expression was probably more of an "OMG, what am I going to do" expression. (she would have used the term "goodness" not "God"). By the next Christmas, my Grandmother had moved to a different town and my oldest daughter was born so no more surprise Christmas trees for my Grandmother.
How we pick out my Christmas tree has changed over the years. There were a few years that we had an artificial tree back in the late 1970s and early 1980s but, since then it has been back to the real trees. Jascha is my youngest grandson and he is now the Christmas tree approver for me. Yesterday was his second year for this most important duty. You see it must be the most beautiful tree in the lot with something that sets it apart from all the rest. Most important, it must be a hugable tree. As you can see, Jascha has the process down pat. It must past the smell test, then he makes sure that there are no missing needles and then of course, the taste test.
The first year I was married, my husband and I bought a tree for my Grandmother. We picked it out, took it over to her house, set it up and decorated it. I don't believe we told her we were going to before we did it - it was like my surprise to her - I was giving her something that I just knew she had always wanted. Looking back I'm not sure she was all that excited about it. Oh, she smiled and let us put it up. But come to think it, her expression was probably more of an "OMG, what am I going to do" expression. (she would have used the term "goodness" not "God"). By the next Christmas, my Grandmother had moved to a different town and my oldest daughter was born so no more surprise Christmas trees for my Grandmother.
How we pick out my Christmas tree has changed over the years. There were a few years that we had an artificial tree back in the late 1970s and early 1980s but, since then it has been back to the real trees. Jascha is my youngest grandson and he is now the Christmas tree approver for me. Yesterday was his second year for this most important duty. You see it must be the most beautiful tree in the lot with something that sets it apart from all the rest. Most important, it must be a hugable tree. As you can see, Jascha has the process down pat. It must past the smell test, then he makes sure that there are no missing needles and then of course, the taste test.
It is obvious, he is a perfectionist when it comes to Christmas trees and understands how important picking out the perfect Christmas tree is for Grandma. After running between the rows of trees, some short and some tall, he finally finds the Christmas tree that is worthy. Once we get the tree to Grandma's house, we put it in its stand and feed it some water, making sure the best side faces the front for all to admire. Also want to make sure there is plenty of room around the tree for presents from Santa. We'll let it sit for a day before decorating so the branches can fall into place. Ah, looks perfect. Now, Grandma, what about those flamingos?
My sister and I talk all the time about the silver tree and color wheel we had growing up - thanks for the memories CBL!!
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