We have a Christmas tree this year. Its nothing special, really, just a slightly thin fir tree cut from Floyd's tree farm a block from home. We picked out our tree in the rain, chopped it, and walked it home, dragging it in the dead leaves behind us.
But I lied. This tree is something special - it is the tree I have been dreaming of for years. Back when living overseas was a novelty, I embraced the most artificial of trees. As the years passed, and the novelty of holidays spent in tropical locations wore thin, I created the perfect Christmas in my mind, and it had three distinct elements: my family, no travel, a real tree, and a fireplace for Santa.
This year, my perfect Christmas is shaping right up. We are staying home and our home is the perfect place for Christmas. Our tree is real and fragrant and perfectly imperfect. Lastly, we have a fireplace and even a mantel on which to hang stockings. Christmas is coming fast.
