Christmas Tree

Have you tried to get a real Christmas tree this year? Did you buy it before the stroke of midnight on Thanksgiving? If you did, congratulations, you are one of those smart folks who anticipated the great Christmas tree shortage of 2020. Today, is Saturday the 12^th of December. I spent the day trying to get a tree for the burrow. So far, I visited a dozen shops within 25 miles of the Woodpile and every last one was sold out. I even checked a secret patch of fir trees in the middle of the woods which I thought I was only one who knew about it. After trudging through snow, freezing temperatures and briars, I arrived to find a clearing in the woods. By “clearing” I mean it was clear of any trees. All I found was a pile sunflower seed shells from the family that got the last tree. They had a bonfire and roasted seeds over the open flames. It must have been a lot of fun.

The secret patch of Christmas trees deep in the woods was reduced to a pile of sunflower seed shells by the time I got there.

The frustrating part was I had made this really cool Christmas tree stand which I wanted to surprise the wife and kids with. It took hours of work to cutout and decorate. I refused to give up. I tried to come up with a brilliant and creative solution.

I found this pine branch with pine cones on the way home through the woods.
Maybe I could make a Charlie Brown Christmas tree?

 
How can I get this branch to standup and look like a tree?

I know, I will tip the stand on its side and slide the branch inside

 

 

The more I think about, the more I realize this just isn’t going to work.

 

What can I do? I called my cousin Vinnie and he droned on about exploiting some quirk of quantum mechanics … it was way too complicated. I called my old school teacher, Mrs. Spot and she lectured me on procrastination. (She had purchased her tree in October and had it cryogenically frozen to preserve its freshness). In desperation, I called my buddy Tom, a really smart human, and he patiently listened to all my troubles. He reminded me Christmas was not about trees, decorations, and gifts. It was about love, family, and one’s faith.

The next morning a small package arrived by flying squirrel overnight express. It was a plain white envelope (no return address) with a single bean inside and some instructions: “Plant in soil, water, and infuse with love and the spirit of Christmas. Wait twenty-four hours.” I followed the instructions, went to bed, and got up the next morning. Half awake I crawled out of the burrow.

I was surprised to find a beautiful tree where I had plant the bean. I must be dreaming. Better get a cup of coffee to wake up. Better make that two cups.

After five cups of coffee, I got up the courage to check again. And, it was still there.

I gingerly touched the box and it felt solid.

I carefully checked inside the stand and could see its roots.

I took a deep breath and inhaled its spruce pine scent. No question about it, it was a living, breathing and very much alive tree. … It was a genuine Christmas miracle.

 After a silent prayer of thanks, I began to push it towards the burrow
so I could share this Christmas miracle with friends and family.