Of The Season and Tree by Konnie Enos

 

Monday, Jerry and I had reason to leave the house for a few hours. When we returned I walked up to our front door and noticed my wreath was out.

Now I had not noticed my wreath being on the front door before then, but we had already been decorating for Christmas. We did not have our tree up yet (still don’t) for various reasons. I had, however, managed to set up my Christmas village and Nativity. Which was a step in the right direction because we hadn’t been able to do that for a couple of years.

Anyway, I noticed the wreath and stepped into the house to both my kids in the living room sitting on the couch talking. I asked my daughter if she’d put it out while I was gone. I also noted that they’d removed some more things from the living room so we could put up the tree.

Both said they’d been working on clearing the necessary space for the tree.

So, I’d been right, the wreath hadn’t been up before I left that day.

Well, after Jerry and I had both gone to our bedroom, and changed our clothes, Jerry went to the front room and was talking to our kids. Apparently, he noticed and asked when our son’s desk had been cleaned off. (It’s in the living room.)

Mind you, I had looked in that direction. I had seen something moved from the general area where the tree will go to the area by the desk. However, I hadn’t registered that the desk was no longer piled high with my son’s stuff to the point that the drawers couldn’t close.

I saw it, but I hadn’t registered that it was a change.

My kids laughed and teased me about it because they had assumed that I would notice but Jerry would not.

We then discussed what still needed to be done in the living room so that we could, finally, after several years of not being able to put up our tree. Which was clear out all the boxes stored in the corner. Boxes that had ended up there because the house and garage were full of people and things.

But, in the last year, our older son and his friend moved out, while my youngest son moved into the front bedroom.

We’d also had that catastrophe in the garage which not only forced us to clean it out but forced us to throw away a bunch of stuff that were ruined by the water.

We were able to get rid of enough to make more room in the garage. Not to mention that my daughter is determined to sort through what’s left and get rid of everything we absolutely don’t need anymore. She’s already started two piles. One for stuff we are keeping. The other for stuff we can throw or give away.

All this cleaning up not only means we have room to put up our tree, but my kids were sure they could find it. Something they dove into do yesterday after the living room floor was completely cleaned.

Yes, they found the tree, or at least most of the parts.

The tree is no longer usable.

They couldn’t find the stand. The attached lights no longer work. And it’s shedding, which is a clear indication it’s too old.

So, the kids and I spent some time discussing the benefits of a pre-lit tree over one that doesn’t have lights and looking up the cost of both. We eventually discarded the idea of a pre-lit tree and only partly because of the issues we’d had with an entire section of our old tree going out years ago and we couldn’t fix it. The main reason we didn’t do pre-lit is because all the pre-lit trees we found were all only in white lights. We want multicolored.

So, we ordered a new tree and are going to buy new lights this week. We should have our tree up finally next week.

And before you ask, use fake Christmas tree for multiple reasons.

First and foremost, for many years, while the kids were young, we had to fight Jerry to wait until after Halloween to put the tree up and it never came down until well after the new year. Two and half, to three months is way too long for a now dead tree to be in your living room.

Second, we have family members allergic to pine, and I apparently react to at least fir. (It aggravates my asthma.) So, fake trees it is.

Next we have to dig out the Christmas socks and hang them up. And wrap some presents, which I haven’t finished doing yet.

Anyway, enjoy the season.

Smile. Make the day a brighter day.

Of Colds and Seasonal Thoughts by Konnie Enos

Since it is Bonnie’s turn to post this week, I had not been thinking about what I would write so I spend most of last night, after she told me she was sick, trying to come up with an inkling of an idea.

What I kept coming back to is that’s it’s December.

The time of the year when people stress themselves out by focusing on things, to-do lists, and what they don’t have. How their life isn’t the picture-perfect life. Or they focus on the commercialistic standard that has prevailed in our society for too long.

But maybe that’s beginning to shift.

I have noticed a change in our collective focus since 2020. I’m not seeing the ads about all the things individuals should ask for this year, but I have seen ads about family, togetherness, and helping others.

I will admit that I don’t watch TV, and I can’t remember the last time I listened to the radio, but I’m still on the internet daily. I’ve seen some ads. All about family or giving.

This is a positive change, and we need to help keep our focus on what really matters.

Family, friends, love, acceptance, and the true sense of connection and community you get when you help others.

So, in this season of giving, think about all the ways you can build community.

Find an Angel Tree, a Giving Machine, or a charity close to your heart where you can give not only money, but time to something that you believe in. Contribute and connect with your community in positive ways.

Not just volunteering for important causes, but in your everyday words and actions. When posting on social media or talking to people around you be mindful of the impact of your words. Try to be upbeat and positive.

Spread cheer. Spread love and acceptance. Call family and friends just to express your love. Think about your friends and neighbors who are chronically ill and could use a friendly face. A helping hand. Or a pot of chicken noddle soup.

When you are out and about, smile. Be open and friendly. Help strangers when you see they have a need.

But most of all, fight the negative thoughts, and judgmental attitudes that help no one, especially yourself. We are all human beings, and we all deserve understanding, acceptance and love.

So, in this season, I want you to think of just one thing. Think about what you can do to have a positive impact in your community. How can you spread love, acceptance, and cheer?

I’ll leave you to think about it.

Smile. Make the day a brighter day.

 

Seasons Greetings by Konnie Enos

 

Tomorrow being Thanksgiving, I’m assuming everyone is as busy as I am either preparing to cook this big meal or preparing for all the friends and family they well be seeing.

So, Happy Thanksgiving one and all. And Ben, happy birthday (of course, we’re not going to forget you). I hope you get to spend the day with as much family as possible.

Smile. Make the day a brighter day.