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I have a distant memory of going to the woods to find a Christmas tree. This was the way getting a tree was done. I imagine today such action would result in arrest or at least a fine for trespassing or vandalism.
We bundled up — December was colder then — and headed for the woods. To me it seemed like we were going hunting for a Christmas tree. I always marveled at the way Pappaw was able to drive right to the spot that gave us the shortest walk into the woods to the tree that we would eventually choose.
As we would enter the woods, I would immediately run to the first Christmas-looking tree that I saw and say, “What about this one, Pappaw?” He would study my selection and gently suggest that we go a little further into the woods. So off to the next tree I would go shouting back to Pappaw as I arrived, “What about this one?” Again, after some study, he would suggest we go a little further into the woods. We would repeat our exchange several times until we finally found the perfect tree.
When I was older, I learned that our Christmas tree hunting expeditions were not quite as random as I had first thought. Pappaw had gone to the woods ahead of time to find a suitable tree. So when we set out together to find a suitable tree, he knew exactly where we were going as well as which tree we would choose.
You might ask why the return trip? Why didn’t Pappaw just cut the tree down when he first saw it? The question is a valid one. Pappaw was not a man given to wasting time or energy. Unfortunately, I never asked why we did the Christmas tree hunting the way we did it. So I do not know why we did it that way, but I am glad that we did.
What I did not realize, in all the trips to the woods or even later when we started to get our trees from retail establishments, is that it is not about the tree or even how you get it. It is about the time it takes to do whatever it is you are doing together.
I could say that as parents there is no gift more valuable or meaningful that we can give our children than our time. However, the same thing is true for all of us. When we give someone our time, we give ourselves. When we give time, we give a gift that cannot be replaced, recycled, or reproduced. Every moment and every minute is unique.
God took the time to send us His son. What a gift! We remember and honor that gift best when we give ourselves to others.
Joy and peace,
Ed
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