10.25.06
The “Other” Tree
There are a lot of family jokes (at my expense) about ‘the other tree’. We have a traditional Christmas Tree, with all of the ornaments from the kids, the dated ornaments, and the colored lights. But I put up a ‘designer tree’, and my family just doesn’t understand why I love it, why I need it. But one year, things were very different, and I needed something to brighten my Holidays.
After Sep 11, 2001 (actually by nightfall that day) we knew DH was deploying immediately, by 15 Sep he was gone to the Middle East. The country was still in shock, we were still in shock, the post was on lock down (tanks guarding our schools, and attack helicopters patrolling constantly) – and DH was gone to fight an unorganized fanatical enemy. This would be different than any war that has come before, and we were very worried.
We knew he wasn’t going to be home for Christmas, and I had to do everything in my power to stay upbeat and bright for the children. They had enough on their minds, they needed a cheerful Holiday. So I bought a tree, and all the decorations and lights (white) and I made it to my favorite color scheme (gold, mauve and creme). I loved to just look at it and regroup and refresh just sitting there – looking at that tree…. and we all made it through! He came home (injured but safe) in April (just in time to deploy to Iraq – but that’s another story).
And still, to this day, I set up that tree, and I make it as beautiful as I can. And (as posted in an earlier post Getting Ready For Christmas about drinking tea and looking at it) – It still has the power to calm and refresh me, to make me feel the beauty of Christmas – to remind me how great He is.
