Each year Deborah and I share one Christmas tradition-we do this religiously.
Together the day after Thanksgiving we buy our Christmas Tree.
As we head out to purchase our tree we are filled with anticipation
for we know the gift lies not in the tree itself, but in its decoration.
From the moment we open our storage bins and rediscover the ornaments they contain
It’s not just a simple trimming of the tree...it’s a trip down memory lane.
There is a special feeling about finding an old ornament time and time again
Holding it up and saying....Hey Deborah do you remember when....
Each ornament adds to the story of our life as we’ve watched our family grow
Most are significant only to us and carry meanings only we would know.
We have ornaments that remind us of our children,”Hey, isn’t that Ryan’s baby shoe?”
There’s a photo of Ali and me, Bryan’s manatee and pickles for the grandchildren too.
There are ornaments from old friends, a few of Whitman: he was a great dog!
And the ornaments of places we’ve been form a lifelong travelogue.
Each year when we’re finished trimming we have more than just a tree
There in the corner stands memories of our life...it’s an album in 3-D!
Every year when the tree is finished Deborah says, “Now you might think me mad,
but I’m sure this year, this tree, is the best we’ve ever had!”
As I stare at the tree and nod my agreement I think I can now attest
to understanding why every year our newest tree is the best.
Last years tree was the best we ever had…that was easy enough to see
but we’ve added another year of memories to the boughs of this year’s tree.
So as wonderful as last year’s tree was it’s the new memories we’ve amassed
that make this year’s Christmas tree a little better than the last.
And I’m sure as another year of memories in 2021 we add
next years tree will take it’s rightful place as the best Christmas tree we’ve ever had.
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