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When Daddy broke the Christmas tree

It was a chilly Saturday in early December when the kids and I decided to drag out our old Christmas tree and decorate it for the upcoming holidays. April was 4 and Matt had just turned 8. That old tree had been used for years, first by my parents and now by our family. It was a little bit shabby, but it was the best we could do. The kids helped me put the branches in the holes on the tall center pole. Then we strung lights and put all the decorations we had accumulated (homemade and store-bought) on the branches. We thought it looked festive when we finished, even if it did lean a little to one side.

About that time, my husband came in to see the finished product. “That tree is leaning,” he announced. “But I think I can fix it!”

“Maybe we could put a couple of magazines under one side,” I said. Ignoring my suggestion, Dale reached through the ornament-laden branches and attempted to adjust the center pole. We all heard the ominous “crack” at the same time. The top half of the tree was really leaning now as it had completely separated from the bottom part.

April started howling, “Daddy’s broke the Christmas tree! How is Santa Claus gonna come now?” Matt chimed in with unwanted questions and comments: “Wow, Dad, you really did break the Christmas tree! Guess that wooden pole didn’t bend too good, huh? What’cha gonna do now, Dad?”

I was left holding the top part of the tree and listening to April’s screams and Matt’s chatter while Dale hustled off to find some tools. He returned with a hose clamp and soon had the Christmas tree back together. Peace was restored and we all agreed the tree looked quite festive, even if it did lean a little to one side.

Brenda Pardue, Hamptonville, EnergyUnited

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