It was a brisk day in mid-December, and despite the desolate bleakness of the frosted-over roads, there abided a hidden tree farm that was nothing but peaceful and still. It was in those few acres of land that a fresh, crisp, white blanket of snow covered the sappy structures. They stood in a line, all awaiting their holiday destination in someone's humble abode.
Throughout the day, families and couples made the long trek out to the secluded farm. One by one, the tall and majestic pines were chopped at their base, soon to become festively decorated for the special time of year. At the edge of the small forest, stood a tree that spoke for itself. This tree was not an exact cookie-cutter mold, but had true characteristics that fully embodied the spirit of the season, making it stand out from the rest.
That day at around 3 PM, an excited family of four arrived in hopes of filling their home with the wintery scents of pine. The green fir stood with it's branches swaying in the wind, as if waving to the family wandering through the lines of potential candidates. It wasn't long after that the kin each took note of the wonderful pine tree standing before them, and immediately agreed that this was the one. One owner of the farm eagerly slumped to the ground with a saw in hand, and quickly went to work chiseling away at the root as the other held the tree steadily, ready to catch him when he was ready to timber. The process took but a few minutes and the family's new tree was ready to make the peregrination to it's new home. It took the efforts of the whole team, but after gentle adjustments, the tree was nestled contently in between the seats of the minivan.
On the way home, almost in an effort of gratefulness, the tree rested its arms on the shoulders of the kids in the back seat. The tips of the still chilled branches remained slightly covered in ice as they slowly warmed up in the heat of the vehicle.
Upon arrival back home, the dusty tree stand was cleaned from the attic, as it had not been moved since the year before. As preparations were being made inside for the tree's new residing place, the tree itself waited joyfully in the garage, becoming very comfortably delighted with its surroundings.
Finally, it was time to officially welcome the tree home as it was carried inside. As it was ever so carefully set down in the corner of the room, the branches relaxed, creating what appeared to be a smile in the center of the tree. As the family stared, marveling in its beauty, the ice expeditiously began to melt, creating puddles on the hardwood floor as the tree cried tears of joy.
Once the happy tree was fully recovered from the cold conditions of the frosty weather, it was then wrapped in multicolored lights around it's branches, hugging the pine as if to say, "Glad you're here."
Next came the decorations, countless trips were made into the basement, each time returning with boxes of ornaments from years to even generations ago. They were then scattered around the tree from top to bottom.
Several hours passed that afternoon of decorating the holiday centerpiece as the sounds of Vince Guaraldi, Dean Martin, and Frank Sinatra played quietly in the background. As the family continued decorating, it was like time slowed down with the addition of each ornament, as fond memories of years before came flooding into every crevice of the room. All was good with the world.
The ornaments were eventually all sitting peacefully in the tree, and the lights shone brightly emitting a festive glow throughout the room. The family took a step back smiling and admiring their tree as it smiled back at them. In a matter of one day, a snow-covered, 6,5' pine tree transformed into what all pine trees aspire to be, a warm, celebrated, fully-decorated Christmas tree.
