Christmas Tree

When mom and Cami and I went to Time out For Women, there was a sweet speaker who talked about how two years back his wife was on hospice, dying of cancer.  She loved Christmas and it was December, so they wheeled her hospice bed right up to the tree where she stayed through the holidays. He said she loved the presents under the tree, the beautiful ornaments and lights.  A few days after Christmas she left this earth and returned home.  He said the following year he didn't have the heart.  He just couldn't bring himself to get presents, put up a tree, any of the normal holiday traditions.  He was too broken hearted.  Then, he went to a fireside. While there, he felt his wife's spirit overwhelmingly in his presence.  At one point, the song, "I'll be Home For Christmas" was performed and it was as if his wife was right there, talking to him, "I'll be home for Christmas... please have snow and mistletoe... and presents on the tree." He knew then that he needed to put up a tree and, though it was hard, it was a blessing too.  Cami and I had tears streaming down our faces when mom leaned over and said, "I am not putting up a Christmas tree this year." True to her word, she had no interest in Christmas trees, decorations, or any traditions this year.  But... the rest of us went and chopped down a tree the day after Thanksgiving and had a wonderful time. Garrett even called it magical.  After we got it home to decorate, mom came over for FHE and watched as we decorated ours.  It was the perfect solution so that she got to enjoy the sentiment without having to do it alone or see the constant reminder of Christmases past and gone now.  I have countless fond memories of cutting down Christmas trees as a child.  I hope my children will too.