Family Tradition: the Perfect Tree

Every year my family and I head up to the mountains near our home to cut a real Christmas tree. Like most years, we went the Saturday after thanksgiving. As we were preparing to leave I noticed that there was a storm moving in above the mountains we were headed to, and I couldn't be more excited. There is nothing like trudging trough a foot of snow looking for that perfect tree. I looked at the rest of the group and I didn't see that same excitement on a few of the faces. It didn't matter they knew what they were in for, I don't remember a year were the sun was shining while we looked for a Christmas tree. It just doesn't seem right if you're not freezing and your pants frozen from the knee down. It just wouldn't be tradition.

So we set out to the usual spot, which is about 45 minutes from home, in a Chevy truck and a Nissan Pathfinder. We pushed the trucks up the mountain road as far as we could go in the snow, latter we would discover that was a mistake. We got out and began our search. Up the mountain we climbed higher and higher and though the snow was coming down, everyone was enjoying themselves. Even my two Labradors were having a great time.

After a long search and scrutinizing every tree on the mountain we found the right one. Well we found the second best one, Dad found the best for his house. We cut them down and headed down the mountain. Half way down I realized how big my tree was. It took three of us just to drag it down hill. I quietly hoped it would fit in the living room, but my wife liked it so it didn't matter.

We finally made it to the trucks and loaded the trees. We had donuts and hot chocolate, and when we couldn't take the cold anymore we decided to go. That is when we realized there was no where to turn around on the step mountain road. After about 15 minutes and some pushing and shoving we got the pathfinder turned around. Know the Chevy truck was a different matter. It is a lot longer and heavier than the pathfinder. We tried for about a half hour and after nearly getting it stuck for good we decided to back it down the road. About a mile latter we found a spot to turn around, and was my mother excited she didn't enjoy the last mile of a shear drop off on the one side of the road.

We returned home about 45 minutes later and took the tree in, and yes as I thought it almost doesn't fit. It takes up a ¼ of the living room, but it is a beautiful tree. We have since decorated it and the feeling that it has brought into the home is wonderful.

Tradition is what makes us who we are. I fear that tradition is something that is failing in America. Family traditions make the family grow closer together. Traditions carry the family name, they become a part of who we are. They bring peace and happiness. I look forward every year to traditions and especially Christmas ones.

I would encourage all to live the traditions of your families, and if you don't have any start some. They don't have to be huge traditions, just start small and then work up. I wish you all a Merry Christmas and the best with your traditions.