no matter if i lived at home or not, i always got "stuck" putting the tree up. i'd grudgingly haul the heavy box up from the basement. i'd curse at the tangle of extension cords and lights. i'd raise holy hell when i couldn't find enough hooks for the ornaments. i'd have the tv going, the stereo going, and every available space jammed with stuff to piss myself off.

i'd break a sweat at trying to wrap lights and cords so that they all ended in the same spot. i'd load as much stuff on that poor 6 ft fake spruce that it'd be a complete pain in the ass to move back into the corner of the livingroom. the last ornament to go on would be the beautiful angel with a candle in each hand that lit up.

i'd curse some more at having to put the excess stuff back in the box to haul downstairs again.

but deep deep down, i wore a smile, i'd grab mom while elvis sang, we'd dance and joke and pop would peek in. in spite of this bah humbag that i've always seemed to be, there is a child who nurtures the christmas ooh and ahhs that are caused by a beautiful christmas tree. didn't matter that it was a little short, or not even real. it always pulled all of us like a magnet to sit in the same room and tell stories and laugh and be together.

i've got a little tree in my little apartment. and it's too special to ignore. my mom gave it to me. and it brings back really good memories.

~~~

if i were home, i'd be putting up the tree.

i'm funny that way.

;-)

cheery ho ho ho

happy christmas

merry new year.

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