Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Keeping Christmas Near

I never knew anyone who kept their Christmas tree up all year long.
At first I thought she needed help taking it down or that she had no place to store it.
When I found out the real reason, it made perfect sense.
She said that she wanted to keep her Christmas near.
"But why cover it up with a big white sheet?" I asked. It loomed in the corner, unlike the ghost of Christmas past, but more like a gentle reminder in disguise.
A simple unveiling would always warm her heart; revealing the times her family was together.
I often think of her sitting by the tree in all it's glory, tinsel, and lights. It's during the heat of summer, when I smile the most.
So now I have a different response to my neighbor's wreath still gracing their door in the middle of February. I am no longer frustrated by the over sized candy canes placed throughout the yard across the street. I figure these people just need to keep their Christmas near.
So I think I'll keep that one forgotten strand of lights still wrapped around the tree in my own yard.
I can easily plug them in on the days I may need a little Christmas.

2 comments:

kms handmade said...

:) When DH was a bachelor with roomies they left their [mini] Christmas tree up year round! I think they were just silly though. Rob's favorite poem (just forgot the author...Whitman???) is "If my valentine you won't be, I'll hang myself on the Christmas tree!"

Distressing Delilah a.k.a. jenn said...

That is a great idea! Why not...it will always make you smile. I like the story in this post!