Everyone else at the tree lot is searching for the “perfect” Christmas tree. A man holds a seven foot tree upright so his wife can pass judgement on its shape. A family debates whether or not the tree they like best will actually fit in their living room.
But I’m on a search for the tree no one else wants. A task that has become more difficult since Christmas trees are now raised on “farms” and only the trees with that classic cone shape make it to market.
At the end of a long row sits a smallish tree, trunk a little crooked, and branches that don’t conform to popular tastes – just the one I was looking for.
At home I put my little tree into the holder and make it as straight as possible. Then I find the worn cardboard box hidden behind the well organized plastic bins of ornaments. Inside are the tattered homemade decorations from my childhood. I string lights and paper chains on the tree and lovingly place each reindeer, snowman, and Santa. With only the tree lights glowing, I close my eyes and take a step back in time
imperfect tree
transformed by lights and snowmen
Christmas memories
You just made my Christmas. Thank you!
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Glad you liked it. I decided to post it on FB too
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A beautiful Christmas story!
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thanks much 🙂
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Your joy from the simple actions taken to make Christmas nice is a joy to read!
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thank you!
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This haibun brings tears to my eyes…….
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thanks – that is quite a complment
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It was quite a haibun – beautifully-written, and using a tree as a symbol like that masterful.
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Memories, sweet memories I like the sphere of an old classic Christmas decorating the tree with handmade decorations by my children and grandchildren or by myself. Awesome Christmas haibun full of sentiment and cosiness.
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thank you so much. your comment mean so much to me.
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There is a special beauty in imperfection, Isn’t there? This really touched me. Like you, I have a special fondness for the underdog, or the runt of the litter.
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so glad this resonated with you. wish more people felt like we do.
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You’ve captured one of the ineffable moments of Christmas: the summoning of memories. This was absolutely beautiful.
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thank you so much!
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Reminds of the tree Charlie Brown picked too…your haibun makes me smile 🙂
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thanks. the holidays should be for smiling 😊
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Beautifully done!
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Thanks much
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