GRANNY B.'S CHRISTMAS TREE

GRANNY B’S CHRISTMAS TREE

Christmas of 2007 I knew I would be out of town so I would not be able to visit Granny B. on Christmas. I decided to send her a table top Christmas tree to bring my  greetings to brighten her Christmas.

I chose the two foot tree with great care. I wanted one that looked “real” , a thick bushy Scotch pine replica. I placed white miniature lights on it and adorned it with wooden ornaments trimmed in gold.

When it was ready, I admired the effect. Time was

running out to reach the shipping company before

our departure. 

I searched for a handy box, carefully wrapped the tree

and headed for the shipper’s store.

“You really must get it there on time, do you guarantee

delivery by Christmas Day?” The first one did not. The

second on thought probably they could deliver by

then…but the third shipper was emphatic. Absolutely—

we guarantee delivery before Christmas.

Relieved and grateful, I took the planned journey.

On Christmas morning, I called Granny B. How did you

like your tree?, I wanted to know.

I don’t have a tree.

What do you mean? You said you received the box I sent

you.

Yes, about that. I really don’t do much housework

anymore myself, so I think I will give the mop to my

granddaughter. She has little children, she could

probably use it for herself.

Mom! I did not send you a mop! It was in a mop box true

enough but there is a Christmas tree inside. It’s already

decorated and everything. All you have to do is put it on

the table and plug it in. it even has lights already.

Oh, okay.

Fast forward…May 30, 2008.

We were sorting and sifting through Mother’s

belongings.  A letter from her son who had preceded her

in death suddenly at age 50; a letter from granddaughter

Kate written when Kate was five; many cards and photos

and letters…and books. Her Bible; an Erma Bombeck

collection of humorous anecdotes of our lives as wives

and mothers; shawls, and clothes many of which still had

the tags on them. All the gifts it seemed that she had

been given in recent years and among those was a box.

The box was two and a half foot tall  and about 10 inches

square at the base. The box was sealed securely with

clear wide mailing tape. On the box was the picture of…a

mop.

For two years I could not bring myself to open the box. I

kept it in the garage. I passed by it every time I entered

or left the house, every time I went to the laundry room.

But, I could not open it.

This Christmas I opened the box. I took out the two foot

tall perfectly decorated table top tree with white lights

and white wooden ornaments with gold trim.

It is standing on the hall table that I moved in front of the

window. When my friends have visited I have told them

the story of Granny B.’s Christmas tree…in her name…in

her honor.