Trees - The Happy Feeling I Get, I Can't Explain


As long as I can remember I have always taken notice of trees. I climbed them, even now I climb them (smile). I love the way they change colors, leaves fall and come back new. The beach wouldn't seem tropical without the swaying palm trees. A lake, creek or river's edge becomes more beautiful when a Weeping Willow is nearby. Large sturdy trees, like the Mighty Oak make me feel secure. Unusual looking trees or unexpected locations where you see a tree growing spark my imagination.

During the holidays I remember all the fantastic Christmas Trees we have enjoyed.

Decorating the tree on Christmas Eve was the tradition.

One year we waited so long to shop for our tree that we needed to tie two trees together to create one magnificent tree. All Chrismas we hoped it wouldn't spring apart (smile).

One year there was no money...our red and white Mustang had turned into a lemon and all our funds had gone to keep it running. To make matters worse our decorations seem to have disappeared or been destroyed. Our friends, the Roses, (Larry, Denise and their kids) came to our rescue. They gave us a Cypress tree. We ended up tying our bills to it with ribbons and decorating it with red silk roses we got from the Dollar Store.

There is a side effect to my love of trees. I can't judge the size of the space available to display it. One year we selected a HUGE, beautiful tree. My sons locked me in my room while they cut it down so it wouldn't poke a hole in the ceiling. Unfortunately, the power went off and we were unable to decorate it, instead we slept in the living room. It was like camping. In the morning the lady from across the hall stopped by to visit. When we opened the door she was flabbergasted to see such a large tree overflowing the room. She said she thought she was in the Red Wood Forest. It was fun.

My favorite vision of a tree is that of my fabulous sons, Tom and Jim carrying a fully decorated Christmas Tree down the street to our house. It was the year I was first separated from my husband. It was doubtful we were going to be able to have any tree that year. The boys surprised me. They had gotten us a tree from one of their teachers, Mrs. Fowler. In true Tennessee tradition she had decorated and put up her tree right after Thanksgiving. Since she was going away for Christmas she was kind enough to share her tree with us. It was a big surprise and is now and forever a happy, cherished memory.

Trees...they are wonderful. They give me a feeling of great pleasure and security. I can't explain why. Thank you God.