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December 16, 2009

Lee Ward: 12/20/09 — It's more than just a tree

Anonymous The Daily Independent Wed Dec 16, 2009, 11:40 AM EST

The Christmas tree tradition used to be I’d put up the tree on Thanksgiving.

It depended on what my plan for the day was — when I had to be where and how much cooking I had to do. When my husband was living, I did it after dinner, when he was asleep in his turkey coma. Before I met him, it was before dinner, wherever I happened to be going that year.

This year, I was to be at a friend’s house early and I ended up staying late, so I had no time to fiddle with it.

Before I knew it, a couple of weeks had gone by and I hadn’t put up the tree. It even ended up as an entry on my list of chores for the weekend. Then I decided, as I have done for the last three years, that I would not bother putting up a tree. It’s just for me and, considering carrying everything up and down the stairs and the assembly and disassembly, it’s a lot of work. I mean, if something is on your list of chores, you can’t find it enjoyable; if it’s not really necessary, maybe you’re doing yourself a favor if you just don’t do it.

But then came the first big snow of the year.

So it wasn’t that big, but it was still a couple of inches. It was enough to cause me to cancel my running around plans and opt for one of those cozy days of house cleaning and making soup. Eventually, I mustered up whatever it took to make me bring the tree up from the basement, followed by the box of lights and ornaments and hooks and garlands.

I took the easy way out. I didn’t dig around for all of my decorations. I just used what I could reach easily and carry upstairs in one trip.

I took my time and, when I was done, I had a backache, but I also had a modest little tree with what seemed like as many lights as needles. Not too many ornaments, but that’s OK. For me, the lights are what count.

Then, I took a tip from one of the houses on the Greenup Tour of Homes this year. I spread a string of lights around the base of the tree before I covered it with a thin, yellow table cloth that would act as a tree skirt. The lights under the cloth added a new layer of glow to my Christmas tree.

Anticipating my refusal to assembly a tree, I had divided the gifts I will give this year and boxed them according to when and where they would be delivered. Yes, I know that’s sick, but I admit to doing it.

But, with a tree up and glittering so nicely, I took the gifts out of their boxes and positioned them under the tree. Now, I thought, this place looks like somebody lives here.

Every year, I consider going treeless and every year, I manage to put to the tree. I consider that accomplishment a tribute to my determination to push forward in life and enjoy what’s here to be enjoyed instead of letting the potential negativity of the season depress me. I guess I unwrapped a Christmas present a little bit early: The gift of emotional strength.

LEE WARD can be reached at lward@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2661.

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