My efforts to duplicate a unique Christmas tree ends with a hybrid and a wonderful tale. The story of this Christmas begins with last Christmas (2014) since it was my first in Alabama. In short, I had to work and was lonely and alone…yes, both…and decorations were sparse. But as the old year grew into the new year, southerners began to grow on me and some meaningful relationships have blossomed. As a result of great planning and timing, I was gifted a tree by one of the coolest nurses I know. Of course, my creative spirit was fed when I gazed upon the "book tree" on Pinterest. In an effort to surprise the only other nerd on the planet who really gets me, my sister, I decided to construct our very own book tree to ring in the holidays.
It hadn't dawned on me that I'd have to group the books according to depth to keep the rings of the tree level. After several hours of emptying countless boxes of books while clearing the DVR, I realized that this was going to take a very long time. I was only half done after an entire day…of course I had a lot of long breaks. I was so frustrated and desperate to find a faster finish. In a moment of clarity, I remembered the "gifted tree" with lights and managed to combine the book foundation and the lighted tree. I think it's an awesome merge of the old and the new, a wonderful way to be traditional yet forward thinking. This paradox fits me.
All in all, going into the Christmas season, I reflect on the traditional things I've known and the way I'm forging into adulthood...even though I said I'd never grow up. I'm grateful for each day that I'm given and those that are a part of my life in every way. And as a silver lining -- I won't be working on Christmas!
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