such a special gift

When I was growing up, we had limited space and funds for decorating for Christmas. We usually got a very small tree that would sit on a table and my mothers favorite colors were blue lights and blue bulbs.
I yearned for a big tree with all the colors possible.
One year at school, my teacher let me have the classroom tree and I dragged it all the way home. It must not have been too great because other than dragging it home, I really don't remember much else.
I dreamed and yearned for a big tree with lots and lots and lots of lights and color.
When I got married, we still had limited funds and space so we started out with a medium tree and some lights and a few ornaments. As the kids came along and got in school and primary, we began to get more and more ornaments of every size, shape and color.
We had real trees for awhile but it really got messy so we went to artificial. It was still somewhat ho hum but the day finally came when I found my dream tree on sale. I loved it. It takes awhile to set up and take down because it is so full and has so many branches. I even ended up taking the bottom layer of branches off because you couldn't get presents under it.
It has held up really well through the years and has filled my dream of a big tree.
Some may think it isn't all that big, but to me it is big and beautiful.
As the kids grew up and left home it got harder and harder to think about setting it up. We even put up a little tree one year and it was such a flop. When our daughter came up with the idea to decorate the tree for us, it was great. Now I had a reason to put up the big tree again.
This year was so special. We gals of the family get together once a week to do gardening or crafts or whatever. I took advantage of my week and asked them to set up the tree. They had it set up in no time. I tweeked a few of the branches and then three of the grandkids came over and put on the lights and decorations. It was wonderful.
I had my favorite tree, enough lights for three trees and wonderful ornaments covering it from top to bottom.
Next year another family takes a turn to decorate the tree.
As I took the tree down this year and sent thank you's to those who helped put it up and decorated it, I thought to myself. If there hadn't been a single present under the tree, the sweet service from our family through the years to set it up and to decorate it with precious ornaments of their making was a wonderful gift in itself.
How I love my tree and my family who make it so special each year.