This is the 42nd year for our Christmas tree. It's an artificial Scotch pine that we bought at Glidden Paints on the southwest corner of Main and Front Streets (I think!) the first year we were married - 1967. Hubby John keeps seeing new Christmas trees that are pre-lit and rotate and do all kinds of things, but when it comes down to it, there's not a darn thing wrong with our tree, so we put it up. We paid the grand sum of $36. for it when we bought it, a splurge on our budget. But at less than $1. a year, I'd say we got a bargain. Our first Christmas together I made a tree skirt out of felt. It was white with black and red and green felt decorations on it - a poinsettia, a Christmas stocking, a fireplace, Santa, a candle, and more I can no longer remember. Over time it also had hairs in it from our dear dog Blackie who used to run and sit under it when he heard our Volkswagen fastback bringing John home after a day at work. Blackie's been gone for a very long time, but our children never wanted to get rid of the tree skirt because it had his hairs in it. When the kids left home, I bought a new tree skirt............but I kept the old one.

When we bought the tree, I told John we should get one really lovely ornament each year, and by the time we'd be married 25 years, the tree would be beautiful. We never did that. Instead, the tree is covered in ornaments made by me, our children, our neighbors (from all the locales we lived in), our friends and co-workers and the students at the elementary school where I was secretary. People I met through my volunteer work and children from the religion classes I taught at church also contributed. In 42 years we've lost touch with many of these folks, but every year when I hang up the ornaments, they're remembered fondly and blessed. Now my young grandchildren are adding ornaments their little 4, 5, and 8-year old hands have fashioned. It's a beautiful tree, regardless of its age, and it reminds me of how much my simple life has been blessed. May God bless you and yours this holy Christmas season, and may He give you a most Blessed New Year!