Gratitude Monday: evergreen

I got some not very heartening news last week, which I’m still processing. But instead of doing something like opening a bottle of single malt and sticking a straw in it, I decided to get a Christmas tree. I haven’t had one of those since 2008—for a number of reasons, including travel at the holidays and living for five years in a third-floor walk-up.

I got a small tree—maybe 5.5 feet—at Home Depot. (Note to self: don’t go there again. The woman at the garden center cash register could not bear to tear herself away from her mobile phone to do more than take money; God forbid she should have to do something like help a customer.)

Then I realized that in my last major move, I got rid of most of my fairy lights, so I had to run out to Target to get a string. Evidently everything is cold-looking LED, and twinkling is so last century. But I got the lights sorted, and pulled out my carton of ornaments that have survived. Some of them go back to the 70s—maybe a little worn, but still meaningful—every one of them represents either a gift or a trip. With a tree this small, I can only put on about half of them, but it gave me pleasure to do that.

I have to say that the final product is not up to my usual standard of just so-ness, but I am out of practice, so I’m cutting myself some slack. In the evenings, with just the lights on the tree and candles about the room, I’m grateful to be able bask in the glow of the season, and shut out everything else.