It's Just a Phase...
- Details
- Published: Tuesday, February 03, 2015 08:37 PM
- Written by Katie Tyson
New Year’s Day dawned cool and clear and calm - the weather, yes; but more importantly - particularly after the maelstrom that was New Year’s Eve - my mind. As I walked from my room toward the kitchen, I stopped to admire the Christmas tree. I mean, really admire it. Not just pass it by, peripherally aware of its continued existence in our living room. But really study it. Appreciate it. Take it in in its majestic entirety. I breathed in its deep woodsy fragrance. I turned on the tree lights, watched them glow and twinkle in the pre-dawn twilight. I studied the ornaments on the outstretched branches, reliving precious memories of when each was acquired or made.
It was a beautiful, living, breathing tree full of our family’s history as well as presence. And in that moment I realized that I had not given that tree its proper due. Thankfully, in keeping with our tradition of celebrating the full 12 days of Christmas, it would be up for five more days. And so, as I headed out the door, I resolved to come home and return to that place by the tree. Afraid of being consumed by the nostalgia of Christmases past, I had held the holiday spirit at arm’s length long enough. I was finally ready to embrace it.
Two hours later, Jim sent me a text message: the tree had toppled over shortly after my departure.
I. Was. Crushed.
So were countless of our ornaments.
Jim went on to assure me that somewhere, in some culture or universe, having your Christmas tree come crashing down on New Year’s Day was considered a sign of good luck in the coming year.
And while I have been unable to validate this, we’re going with it!
