Put Up The Christmas Tree or Not?

Every year I go through, "Am I going to put up the Christmas tree or not?" and every year I put it up and enjoy it. This year is no different.

I don't HAVE to put it up because nobody usually sees it but me so I can't say, "Better put up the tree because everybody's coming over," because probably nobody is coming over.

I didn't put it up until last Saturday but it will be up at least until New Years' Day. Someone in my family advised me that I wouldn't have very long to enjoy it but I countered that I would enjoy it longer than if I didn't put it up at all.

I perceive that a tiny branch of pessimism runs through our family tree...BUT the tree went up and so did my spirits. This year I put my Santa hat on top and hung the stockings on there. You might think that's weird but I just don't have a mantle to hang them on and they're so nice especially the one I got at Dillard's on sale the year Michael and I went shopping for bargains after Christmas.

Well, I just love it. Both of my strings of lights are half dead but once they're up you can't tell and there's icicles on the tree that have been there for years. I have some new ones but I guess I'm saving them until some of the old ones eventually fall off. There's enough on there now to sparkle really beautifully with the lights on.

You might think my tree resembles Charlie Brown's but it really doesn't. And even if it did it would be OK because for me every day I wake up is Christmas for me. Don't worry, I'm not going to preach. I'm just going to say that I love Jesus and thank Him for creating this beautiful world and putting me in it and putting you in it and I am thankful for all of you and for children's hugs and the words "I love you."

Look up and listen and learn and love and be blessed this season and always.

I LOVE YOU!!!
Carolyn Cogswell