8 Comments

Dear Unreliable Narrator: This one really got me, so beautiful and funny, sad too, how time alters memories, perceptions, intentions, holidays. I believe your version of the big tree, who bought it, and am glad to read you keep up the tradition from your lovely mind.

Expand full comment
author

Thank you as always! You know I didn't think of it as sad at all, just the passing of time and a chance to needle my bropther and sister. The back and forth with them the last couple of days has been a lot of fun--especially since they continue to tell me how much my version of the family is different from there! Unreliable, indeed.

Expand full comment

My dad loved everything about Christmas... getting the tree, always a big one, and how after it was decorated he would lie on the couch in the living room and look at it with music playing on the hi-fi. The year he died we had Christmas at my uncle’s 100 miles away. I made mention to my mom there was no tree. We came back from midnight mass and he had piled the presents up as best he could in the shape of a tree. It just wasn’t the same.

Expand full comment
author

I love ther image of your dad--he and my dad would have gotten along just swell. But at least your uncle tried! I'm sure you have the best tree on the Pacific coast!

Expand full comment

I love your tree, Pat! I’m you in my family and they all call me Mrs. Christmas. They don’t keep up with the traditions or memories, but get disappointed if I don’t. 😁

Expand full comment
author

Glad I'm not alone! I'm not quiet sure how I'll do it in my 80s/90s but I'm putting up huge trees until the end!

Expand full comment

Go green, Sister! Those tiny trees smile all year round.

Expand full comment
author

I hear you on the second comment but there's got to be a tree recycle program around! You're always welcome to come over to my house--I'll pour you a glass of something and we'll sit in the dark, watching the pretty lights and the ornaments twinkle, and listen to dad's Frank Sinatra sing carols!

Expand full comment