Bittersweet
She was young and fresh and beautiful when we welcomed her into our home with joy and anticipation. But now, she’s faded and brittle; her day is done and she must go. Once again it’s time to take down “the tree”. Yes, I recognize that “organized” girlfriends took theirs down long ago, but in the spirit of procrastination, my tree didn’t go up until Christmas Eve, so it’s only been four weeks. Nevertheless, the chore is upon me. I can’t help contrast the feelings that go with putting up the tree with today’s thoughts as I take it down. The physical effort is roughly the same: hauling the tree up the steps to the living room; digging the boxes out from under the stairs; clearing a place of honor so that the lights cast...
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