Mama & i decided that today we would put up the Christmas Tree.  In years past we made quite a production of it since Papa occupied the living room (where the tree goes.)  He & Mama enjoyed Christmas music blasting while i blasted about getting all the knick-knacks switched over & decorating THE TREE (a major artistic achievement!)  They always liked watching the ornament placement (& deliberation that ensured advantageous placement of best ones on the side where Papa could see them.. )

So this morning after a hearty breakfast @ Virginia’s Cafe (your humble blogger is still the chief cook & bottle washer in these parts : )  my brother Dwight brought down the boxes (lots) from the garage & then carefully carted in our Christmas Tree (that has brought holiday cheer for over 20 years.)  After a round of hot cider, he zoomed off to work while Mama & I rolled up our sleeves & set to it.

…Have to confess my eyes dripped a little while setting the tree up.  Remembering when we took everything down last January, Papa was still with us(!) My heart’s full – we had such a wonderful Christmas last year (& the year before & the year before that & the year before that one…)  So many special treats, including an annual caroling outing of 120+ youth groupers from my parents’ church who came en mass to sing.  Ok, a little off key & out of sync with the 25 or so seniors in the house singing one verse while the rest outside had a different groove on.. But, what a treat!

So, they are coming Sunday to sing for Mama (hence the need to get the tree up today!)  …& we are grateful.  New memories to mix with precious ones from the past.

Not to get maudlin, here’s a bit of Holy Hilarity from our tree (totally Papa!)

 grace, peace & Steelers (up a tree!)

Virginia : )

p.s.  Something to reflect upon (a little more Advent-ish)

Lives of great men all remind us
        We can make our lives sublime,
    And, departing, leave behind us
        Footprints on the sands of time…

Footprints, that perhaps another,
        Sailing o’er life’s solemn main,
    A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,
        Seeing, shall take heart again.

    Let us, then, be up and doing,
        With a heart for any fate ;
    Still achieving, still pursuing,
        Learn to labor and to wait.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow