Sleeping 'Neath the Tree

Okay, here is a fact that I can't really believe I am admitting to, much less broadcasting to the tens of people who find this blog somewhat entertaining... but here goes. At Christmas time, I sometimes leave the Christmas tree lights on all night, and sleep, on the floor, beneath the tree.

Sounds weird doesn't it? Well, I guess it is, and I guess I am too for that matter. But it is true. I even have a special blanket that I like to use - it is old and worn, but it makes a great cushion on the floor. Now, of course, I don't do this every night - just on the nights when the DH (that's short for Dear Hubby!!) is working and the DD (and that would be Dear Daughter - starting to sense a pattern here - how about you?) is fast asleep. I have been doing this for years. In Christmases past, it was me and my sweet DDJ (and for those of you who are not asleep from the boredom yet, that is Dear Dog Jake) who used to snuggle down for a long winter's nap under the tree. Some years, we were privileged to be sleeping under a real tree, dodging falling needles and reveling in the sappy, sweet smell of Christmas and all it's glory. Since we have lived in this house, the tree has always been artificial (but a beauty!) and although it is not quite as "smelly" and "sappy", it still is a favorite place. Now that DDJ has gone onto Doggie Heaven, and until my DD is old enough to play along with me, I guess it is just going to be me, sleeping 'neath the tree for awhile longer.

The idea of sleeping 'neath the tree came from a long time ago. No, not my childhood, long ago, but oh, let's just say a good twenty years back. Before the DH and the DD, there was another somebody -- he is commonly known on this blog as Maskboy, now STOP - don't go thinking this is an old boyfriend blog entry -- it ain't - just keep reading!

Anyhoo, as my mother always says, once upon a time, near Christmas, this "person" came to my house, and at sometime, during the course of the evening, I guess he was tired, cause he fell asleep beneath our tree. Now, most folks would find this rude, but as he was soon to be (or so I thought) a member of the family, my parents and I thought it endearing. So, ever the documenter of my life and times, my mother snapped a photo of the sleeping one beneath the tree.

Over time that picture became one of my favorites of him. Even now, oh so many years later, and a lifetime between that time and this, I still think it is a favorite, not just of him, but a favorite picture of all that are in my photo album. It doesn't even show his face, in fact, it could be anyone under that tree. What I think I like about it so much is the child-like quality the picture portrays. Who hasn't been a child, so excited about Christmas that you want to climb under the tree and wait for Santa. Can't you just picture a small child doing that, and then falling asleep with the hope and wonderment of what is to come on his little mind?

That is the feeling I am after, on those nights, when alone, I make a pallet on my floor, fluff my pillow, and settle in under my tree. The feeling that many years ago, as a young wife, longing to be a mother, and feeling alone at the holidays, I tried to find. That feeling, that even now, I still long to find. To see the wonder of Christmas, not through these jaded adult eyes, but through the eyes of a child, to sit in awe as the The Christmas Story is read from Luke, or sit in a darkened church, lit by candles and sing quiet carols on Christmas Eve and to wait with wonder on Christmas morning, walk in and see what goodies are laid out for me.

Christmas is a special time of year for me as I know it is for everyone. There is so much wrapped up in this month of December. I dated my husband for the first time in a December long ago and accepted his ring a year later on another cold December day. I have spent far too many Christmases saddened because of loss but I am so blessed that now I have spent three wonderful Christmases with my sweet daughter. I am so excited to spend another one this year and to experience Christmas and all it's wonders through her eyes once again. How sweet to hear her sing "Away in the Manger" or "Fa la la, Tis the Season to be Jolly", as only a three year old can. What fun to act out the Christmas story with her playing the director, and acting out Mary, the Angel and Baby Jesus - and I am just lucky to be a sheep! Such fun, such fun, ya'll, there are no words to express it!

I wholeheartedly recommend that you take some time this year, maybe not a whole night, like crazy ole me, but maybe just a few moments, 'neath the tree. Take the time to ponder the child-like moments of Christmases past, the one that is here now and the ones yet to come. See them from 'neath the tree - it is a whole new perspective. Somehow, beneath a tree, decorated with all the glitz and glam, the real meaning of the season comes into focus. At least for me it does.





Merry, Merry!
Beverly