There had always been a Christmas tree at Dogwood.
The first was an eight foot, artificial monstrosity that soon became too much of a chore to assemble and take down. So after a few years, we put the four foot top half in a bucket and decorated that.
On December 6, 2003, Christmas… and everyday life, changed forever when 10 week old Lucy entered our lives. With her arrival, puppy proofing became a way of life and effected all previous traditions. I was weary of what might happen if we put up a Christmas tree.
Then I had an inspiration. Instead of adding something new to a room, I would decorate a small palm tree that Lucy saw every day. As Lucy’s first Christmas tree, I thought it could still be special and hopefully, less of a target.
Wrong !
A day later, I discovered a tangle of broken limbs, smashed globes, broken lights, and shredded tinsel.
With bits of garland still clinging to her behind, Lucy looked up at me as if to say, “I didn’t do it.”
No amount of repair or training could alter Lucy’s dislike for the funny looking leafy thing that blinked. She destroyed the tree twice more before I finally accepted the sad fact that there would never be another Christmas tree at Dogwood.
While shopping on Christmas Eve, Better Half and I discovered a four foot, pre-decorated, pre- lit “tree in the box”. It was “plug and play: no assembly required.
Something inside me clicked, and I bought one. It cost me ten bucks, and renewed my faith in our country’s ability to buy products made in Taiwan.
At home, Lucy followed me into the living room and watched intently as I pulled her first real Christmas tree from its box. It was decorated with tiny multicolored globes, silver garland, and had a little star on top. Her tail wagged with excitement as I plugged the tree’s electrical chord into the wall.
An amazing exhibition of light and color, produced by the miracle of fiber optics, burst forth. As the thin fiber strands slowly changed from red, to green, to blue, and then back to red, Lucy watched in awe.
It was the most peaceful Christmas Eve I can remember. With Lucy in my lap, Better Half and I sat watching the little tree, quietly talking about Christmases past.
As the colors danced in the branches and across the walls before us, Lucy slowly drifted off to sleep.
Seven years, and four additions later, Lucy’s first Christmas tree comes to life every December.
Now Lucy is grown, and the little tree doesn’t hold the same allure. Much like Christmas, its glowing colors now hold fascinate of the young babies: little Hines, Daisy, and Bart.
There will always be a Christmas tree at Dogwood, and babies to love it.
May peace, love, and goodness find us all in coming year.
From the pack at Dogwood : Have a very, Merry Christmas.
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