“Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories,
And love of kindred,
And we are better throughout the year,
For having, at least in spirit,
Become a child again, at Christmas time.”
Laura Ingalls Wilder
Having just decorated our outdoor pine tree
My thoughts quickly turned to an old memory
The day when my father and I used to head out
On his quest to find, ‘The Perfect Christmas Tree’
My father would always wake me up at dawn
While the rest of our family was still fast asleep
He would whisper, “Now dress real warm, Son!”
And out into the cold dawn, he and I would creep
Dad never even gave me time to eat breakfast
And, he always insisted that we not take the car
Whether it was a sunny winter’s day, or below zero
We would visit Christmas tree lots, both near and far
And, in most of these delightful childhood memories
I recall my father often liking a tree, very near our home
But he would never purchase the first one that he admired
So onward through the old city streets, he and I would roam
I think nearly every Christmas tree salesman knew him
And I know he enjoyed bickering for the very best price
And, thinking back on those glorious Christmas tree hunts
I know he would never settle for a tree that was merely ‘nice’
He always insisted on purchasing a very tall tree
And, I knew we’d have to trim it with a hacksaw
But whether Evergreen, Douglas, or Blue Spruce
It was always a magnificent tree filling me with awe
And when my father finally found that ‘perfect tree’
I remember the very bright twinkle in his loving eyes
Recalling how he loved to barter for that perfect tree
Still brings many extremely joyous memories and smiles
“This truly is the Perfect Christmas Tree, Mr. Kostro,
And I couldn’t possibly let it go for less than ten dollars!”
My father would hand the salesman a five, pick up the tree,
And ‘A Very Merry Christmas to You!’ he would then holler
Soon, Dad and I would lovingly haul that ‘perfect tree’ back home
And, we’d stay up half the night, decorating it, and getting it just right
“Isn’t that the most perfect Christmas Tree you have ever seen, Son?”
And I’d reply, “It sure is, Dad!” which I think always filled him with delight
Having just decorated our outdoor pine tree,
My thoughts quickly turned to an old memory;
The day when my father and I used to head out,
On his quest to find, That Perfect Christmas Tree.
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©2009, Mr. Ed
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Blessings and Love - Micke
Anna
Abdi-Noor
"Oh, Tannenbaum - how lovely art thy branches!"
tom.
reminds me of my Father
that must have been in a small town
Peace be with you
William
Blessings from Ky.
Joyce B.
and an old two gallon slivowitze bottle for a shoe, so it would stand straight and true, till all the drops were drank, and all were in the tank.....Na, just kiddin, Hugs! Jasmin Horst
delightful memories Bro! You brighten my thoughts recalling
my own "perfect tree" experiences! thanks Pee Weeeeeeeeeeeeeee!;-)
Love,sis tiger lily
(((HUGS))) and love, Karla.
fee
Georg
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in Tx., Karen Lynn. :D