Our First Christmas Tree (A tribute to my Mom)

[teartracks]

 

I
~
was
a little girl.
~~~~~
Maybe five. 
We were poor. 
We lived where slash
~~~~~~
pines grow in abundance. 
When they're saplings, if you look
carefully you'll find one shaped like a
Christmas tree.
~~~~~~~~~
So that's what my Mom did.  She found
one perfectly shaped for Christmas. I don't know
exactly how she did it, but I expect she anchored it
in a bucket of dirt.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
My brother and I stood by filled with excitement.  After
stabilizing the tree, the decorating began.  We were filled with
pure glee.  I don't know how to explain it, but on this occasion,
the tree and my Mom were one.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There was an interdependence
between her and the tree for the enchanting, magical,
storybook experience that was unfolding. 
She strung bright red roping around it, then tossed cotton bolls saved
back from the harvest all about on it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I was drawn into an unbelievably beautiful fantasy, the kind you see in children's
movies where stars waft from their eyes when they're caught up
in wonder and excitement.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I believe I would have exploded with excitement if those
stars had not been wafting from my eyes.  Could it be that
when we're caught up in such a powerful fantasy that stars wafting
from our eyes are necessary as a release to keep us from bursting with joy?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Today for the umpteenth time,
I told my Mom that to this day, that was the most beautiful Christmas tree I've ever seen.

Happy Holidays everyone. 

tt

[changing]

Hi TT-

Happy Holidays to you and yours!!! As your post shows, love is what it's all about.

Love,

Changing

[Overcomer]

I also idealized Christmas as a child.  I would turn off all the lights and look at my rounded reflection in the ornament.  I listened to Andy Williams Christmas albums and to this day if I hear ITS THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR I sing real loud.  I got tears in my eyes last week when I watched a CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS.  Happy Holidays and a Blessed Christmas to you all!

[lighter]

Wonderful story, TT.

Have a Happy Holiday: )

[Leah]

Thank you ((( TearTracks )))

Such a feeling of love and warmth from your very special Christmas Tree tribute, beautifully created, with obvious love and care.

Sincerely wish (((( Everyone )))) a Blessed Christmas.

Love,

Leah

[isittoolate]

beautiful, ((((( tt  )))))

Love
Izzy

[seasons]

Pure love and warmth...... much love to you ((tt))

[teartracks]

Dear changing, OC, lighter, Leah,   Iz and seasons,

Thank you for acknowledging my gooey, sentimental,  metaphorish, post.  The experience could have been yesterday, it is so clear in my mind (not much else is nowadays)!  I was boohooing as I wrote it.

Love to all,

tt

[lighter]

(((tt)))  I really appreciated thatyou took the time to make my name so golden and bright, lol. 

Amazed you took the the time and trouble to wrote that beautiful OP in the shape of a Christmas tree too..... very nice and Merry Christmas, tt.

[teartracks]

lighter,

You're welcome. 

You know, I'm getting used to it that just about all the anger toward my mom has dissipated.   It was good for me to be able to lift that beautiful memory from all the grief and give her credit for it here. 

tt

 

[changing]

TT-

Green is my favorite color (though I love them all!)- Thank you for making me green!!!!

Love and Happy Holidays,

Changing

[lighter]

((tt))  Yes yes yes..... so glad to hear you're opening up space to remember the good things too.

[gratitude28]

tt,
How incredibly creative and poignant. Gosh, I am just stunned by your poem, from every aspect. Thank you so much for sharing.
Love, Beth