So let me tell you a little bit about my Christmas Tree.
She’s not fancy, she wasn’t expensive, and each year more and more of her artificial pine needles continue to fall off. But we’ve been through a lot together her and I, and that’s really all that matters.
She came into my life somewhat un-expectantly actually (as most of the best things in my life often do) about four years ago on a cold night in Topeka, Kansas. Remember how I said she wasn’t fancy? Well there’s your proof. Believe it of not she’s a Wal-Mart born tree, and from Topeker no less. But I don’t judge her for it.
Why we were in Wal-Mart in the first place I can’t really remember, but it must have been a good reason because I avoided that store like the Peker plague. But we were headed out the door when what to our wondering eye should appear? But a fang toothed woman from Westboro Baptist Church wearing a sign that read “Satan Claus” and “Xmas is for Fags” standing just outside the entrance. And that was enough to make me buy the first Christmas tree we saw on the spot just so I could carry it out proudly in front of the she-devil from Westboro. Had I been able to wrap the tree in a rainbow flag I would have done so as well.
Chris worked pretty long days back then and the Topekans didn’t exactly welcome me with open arms, so many nights were spent alone on the couch, just Tree and me basking in her glow. Of course there was a little puppy by the name of Harlow who was there as well, although he spent most of his time just trying to tear off every ornament he could reach while pulling roughly on her branches, but Tree didn’t care.
Within just a years time, so much had already changed when I brought her out again. The puppy was a now a dog, and the city was now Chicago. And with that change came a bit of a smaller space. We were no longer living like rich folk in a three bedroom house in Kansas, but now had to stick Tree in the corner of a small apartment in Chicago, but she didn’t seem to mind. Her purpose remained the same.
Fast forward another year and just one day after I took Tree out for her third season yet another life change would occur. It came in the form of a phone call from my former boss telling me the company was “restructuring,” but unfortunately I wasn’t a part of said restructure. That was a pretty hard blow for me because I actually liked that job and I knew that was rare to come by, especially at my age. After that call, before I wrapped myself in a blanket and spent the day on the couch feeling pretty damn sorry for myself, I texted my parents, “just got let go. please don’t call me for a few hours.” I was at that point where I knew if I so much as opened my mouth big ugly cries would could snorting out. I might have laid there in my own self pity all night had it not been for Tree. As if on cue, she suddenly lit up telling me to get my butt off the couch and make the best of my situation and stop acting like such a little pansy. *it actually was on cue, because I use timers on my lights. But I took it as a sign never the less. And speaking of Christmas light timers, are those things created by magicians or what? Or am I the only idiot who can never seem to figure them out… And ps that company I worked for has since gone under for good. And I know I shouldn’t be happy about such a thing, but I am.
Anyway, here we are today. Yet another holiday season is upon us and it is finally time for Tree to come out of hiding and see once again what has changed over the past year. Chris has a mustache now, so that’s new. And Harlow has a few white hairs on his chin that sprouted up out of nowhere, but I like them because I think they make him look distinguished. And as for me, well from last year at this time until now I think the most noticeable difference is that I simply feel more fulfilled. Of course Tree will notice I still feel absolutely lost on a daily basis, but yet somehow I have a sense of ease knowing I’m at least going in the right direction… I hope so, anway.
As I took Tree out of her box last night I saw her bottom limb hung lower than usual. And I’m sad to say she lost quite a few more faux pine needles over the past year. But she’s hanging in there. She always seems to come alive when I hang certain ornaments on her, like the photo of baby Harlow with the stocking cap on and the caption “Puppy’s First Christmas 2010.” And then there’s the furry little Nutcracker from my mom that she purchased when she, my sister, and I saw it live in Kansas City before going out to a drag show after. And I can’t forget the glitzy pearl snowflake ornament that my dad gave me two Christmas’s ago and my mom yelled at him for because she thought they were too expensive. Those are some of Tree’s favorites. Mine too.
And that’s a little bit about my Christmas Tree. She’s certainly not as tall or as fancy as the others I’ve seen, but for right now in my life, she’s just about right.
This was a very interesting take on the Tree. Makes me wish a little bit that I didn't get a real one every year. I have to work Thanksgiving and Christmas this year and its putting me in quite the funk. Debating whether I will even do a tree this year……
This is a really good piece of writing!! I love Christmas trees 🙂
I really enjoyed this, I'll definitely be looking at my tree a little differently this year!
My Tree was also a Wal-Mart special. My bought her for me when I was living on my own for the first time after college (not nearly as cool as buying a tree to spite the WBC). We will probably buy a new tree this year, since we bought a house and all, but I'll never let first Tree go.
What an awesome post! Makes me wonder about all the things my tree has seen, in our time together. (Oh, if trees could talk.) Also, I too touched on Westboro Baptist in my post today. Weird. Felt the need to note that for the record. Hah.
This is lovely! And the lady from Westboro, that really happened?? Good grief…
Awww, I love this! I'm actually kind of excited for Christmas already. Usually I'm a Grinch, but I can say that your writing today, definitely puts me more in the Christmas spirit!
I loved this post!!
I love your tree! Mine is the one I grew up with. My parents eventually got a new tree, so when I moved into my own place, they gave me the old one. I LOVE IT SO MUCH. Like yours, the needles are falling off and some of the branches kinda just lay there. But honestly, it's a great tree. It's big and bushy and not too tall – cause I'm short. If I had a tall tree there would be NO ornaments on the top. NONE.
Our tree is five years old and was bought at the exact same Wal-Mart. Sans Westboro creeps. Our tree is droopy and sheds like crazy. We say we are going to buy a new one every year after Christmas, but we never do. And most likely will not until we have kids and they complain about the ugly. But we love our little tree.
this is one of my favorite posts of yours. I don't know if I'm just feeling sappy or I need another cup of coffee but this just put me in the spirit. It's amazing how things – objects- in our life can have such meaning and purpose. I really love this Taylor.
I love this post. I think it's so fun to have something to mark the changes in a year. And I love the reason you bought the christmas tree in the first place!
Love this! I drove all the way to Huntley (look it up if you don't know where it is) from downtown to pick up the perfect tree from some creeper on Craigslist…and when I plugged it in at home, the "new" tree already had a short in some of the lights. But I still adore it and think about that trip every year.
Is there anything more relaxing than the glow of Christmas lights? I don't think so. That tree helped keep me sane when I was battling insomnia last year! 4 o'clock, go out to the living room and bask in the glow 🙂
Absolutely love this!!!! Literally read it with my mouth hanging wide open in awe… lol It was just that good and I can totally relate!!!
My boyfriend and I just bought our first Christmas tree this year and this makes me super excited to put it up year after year!
This is really sweet. It is a great ay to look back at the seasons of your life. It makes me appreciate my wal-mart tree more 🙂
OK – just have to say – I looooved reading this. And it has me even more excited to get my boxes of decorations out this weekend and start bringing Christmas alive in my house again. My Tree is from Wal-Mart too (though, handed down to me by my mom when she went "bigger & better" a few years ago) – and mine is also a little on the sad side, losing more needles each year… but oh, the stories she can tell! 🙂
Those people are definitely the devil, I would have done the same thing. But that's such a great story about your tree! 🙂 I can't wait to get our Christmas tree!
Awwww what a great tree! I too avoid Wal-Mart at all costs (Target is my happy place), but I definitely would have gone in there and bought out their Christmas section if I had seen one of those lunatics out front.
Here's to your tree hangin' in there and not turning into a Charlie Brown tree 😉
I always love your posts, but this one in particular is probably one of my favorites! I love your tree and that it has so much meaning behind it 🙂
I love this post, the story of your tree is great. a christmas tree's sole purpose is to bring joy to people. i'm glad yours has been able to do that for you!
Great story and post : ) Makes me want to go out and buy a dang fake tree now from Walmart! LOL
bisous
Suzanne
The fact that this tree began as a giant Eff You to Westboro Baptist people is maybe my favorite part of this post.
The fact the Tree was bought just to piss those a$$holes off, makes me love her already!!!! ugh…I strongly dislike those westboro freaks!!
The fact that you would have wrapped your tree in a rainbow flag makes me laugh and love you.
Well that's such a smart way to think about a Christmas tree! It truly is something to think about how the Tree thinks of us every year when she gets to see us again!
That is an awesome story and a beautiful tree:) I have seen those crazy Westboro turds, too, so I applaud you for buying that tree and walking it boldly in front of them. Hang in there:)
Awww, what a sweet post!! I think your tree is also a reminder that if and when something not so great happens in life, that in the long run it's just a quick "glitch" in the grand scheme of things…and no matter how many life changing events you may go through, life is always beautiful 🙂
This was seriously so cute… I smiled! 🙂 We got our tree from Walmart, too. Maybe they're sisters.
Your tree is so pretty!
I think she is great! I have a baby four foot one!
xx
Kelly
Sparkles and Shoes
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