Christmas

Being that time of year again, I loaded the family up; Griswold style and headed out west to find the family Christmas tree.  I am extremely fussy, but in a good way.  The tree has to be cut from an area where the tree is destined for removal, either under a transmission line, or pipeline or road right of way.  My wife with her infinite patience seems to put up with my fascination with finding the perfect tree cut from the perfectly environmentally sound location.  It can be a bit of a gong show, but then again when I find myself walking through the snow, temperature just below zero, axe over my shoulder, snow gently falling while tugging two laughing boys in a toboggan  through the pines, I am at peace.  This is my favourite day in the time leading up to Christmas.

The tree like every year will be pulled halfway through the door before I realize that indeed the time continuum has been maintained, but space has continued to remain constant during Christmas and a 14 foot tree still won’t fit in a 10 foot six ceiling. And after cutting it down three times and ramming it through the tiny door, there will be a pile of needles on the carpet representing the great pine massacre of 2012. The tree stand will leak dirty water all over the carpet like every year before and the cat will pull down a good portion of the ornaments.  The string of lights will go on the fritz resulting in a fugitive like hunt for the 1 cent bulb that will cause me to throw away the entire string in frustration.  The tree will fall over at least two times leaving a nice layer of sap on the adjacent couch.

But when it is all over, and I admire the glistening beauty while the record player skips through White Christmas on grainy Bing Crosby vinal, the Christmas endorphins will erase the bad memories from my brain and prime me for the next year of Christmas cheer.

So to everyone, have a great Christmas and New year!  We pray for many blessings on your households.

From the Krebs’