Monday night Carol and I were guests of the Styn Family for a trimming the tree experience. In their lovely University City mountainside home three generations were present. This was tradition at its best. I don't know how many times over these 29 years we have been with them on this occasion.

It was memorable. Sitting with Carol in front of the fireplace I watched the grandsons carry in the tree and set it up on a pedestal. Susan had many boxes of lights and ornaments all ready for the trimming. Quickly the branches were released; gleaming lights were wound around the tree along with many strings of red wooden balls representing cranberries. Each son had a large box of ornaments and chose which side he would decorate amidst much kidding and, I am sure, memories of the past.

Many years ago our Daughter and Daughters-in law started ornament exchange among our 7 grandchildren. Behind every ornament there is a story. Besides this, there are ornaments from around the world where the family has visited. Handmade ornaments from childhood and school were shown with much laughter to our grandsons' girlfriends who were present and taking Digital camera pictures of this occasion. (I’m sure the Web will have them as the young adults are all engaged in Computer Industries) The College Club and Highschool Club with whom our grandsons have been related now have over 2 million and 300 thousand members respectively.

During lulls in the conversations, I remembered Carol and my second Christmas in Bellingham Washington when we were expecting our first child, David. We, like our neighbors, went to the Mt. Baker Forest area with axe, shovel and hoe; dug up a small tree with its roots; put it in a bucket, carried it home and decorated it with strung popcorn, cranberries, mistletoe, and paper figures. After Christmas we buried it on the side of our home, where it grew and grew. As other children were born I planted Evergreen trees for them, too. Ten years ago new owners cut all the trees down but one which is now more than 30 feet high towering over the house.

In Everett Washington, The Bayview Cemetery owner, allowed me to take our 4 children each year to an area where they selected a tree. We held hands around it, had a prayer of thankfulness, apology and dedication; then cut it down and placed it in our very large Parsonage home for the holidays.

I love the odor of Evergreens. In fact, one year the children argued over who could have the tree in their room after New Years. We ended up by cutting it in pieces and burning the entire tree in our basement furnace. Every room for several days had the fresh odor of the tree. We all shared in its aroma!

To me that's what Christmas is all about. Love and sharing. Rejoicing in family love and inclusion of others in our celebrations(.Attachment) and Thanks again for Scrolling.

Father Grandfather