Perhaps Charlie Brown began the tradition of picking really bad trees, I don't know for sure. When Deanna and I went to cut a tree down for our home this year, we were looking for a tall tree with character. Well, we found one.

Any of you that have seen the "Grinch" movies will remember how when you saw a view of his home from the valley, it was on a mountain top. The view up showed a wide mountain base, leading to an ever narrowing top that was crooked. That is very descriptive of our tree this year.

All four of us have enjoyed teasing about it, and today, decorating it, together. It is a bit awkward, but then, so many times are we.

Being together to decorate was a blessing! We had fun doing it! That has not always been the case. We always looked forward to it, but often, the hurriedness of the season would catch up with us, and reflect the Sunday morning rush to get everyone ready, and pushed out the door.

Beej was usually the peacemaker through this. His young heart beat with such passion for all the season brought. His enthusiasm in decorating the tree was infectious. He would try to soothe the rushed attitudes and corresponding hurt feelings with the love in his heart.

His decorating prowess improved through the years. When he was young, his decorating style was limited by his height. The finished tree would have all of his favorite ornaments at the bottom...where he could reach. After he went to bed, Deanna would come to the rescue and even things out a bit. He never seemed to notice that.

We had a great time togehter this morning as we hung the Yuletide glitter. Our tree is ecclectic and traditional. We hang ornaments collected through the years, that reflect momentary hobbies. These are what make the Higgins tree special to us. We vow every year to throw certain ornaments away, but each year, they end up back on the tree. We laugh at them when we pull them out. There are many broken ornaments on that tree, but they have such sentimental value to us.

The joy we had this year in making the tree festive was not without memories of years past, and Beej's presence. Those thoughts danced through our minds, as we worked in harmony to adorn the crooked tree. One ornament evoked tears for me. It was an inexpensive gold plated train with a picture of a young Beej in the engineers seat. His smile is so precious.

Overall, we truly celebrated the opportunity to be back together as a family. How blessed we are by our Lord to allow us this day. I pray the same for each of you. This season without Beej will be melancholy at times, but each time I start to feel that way, the Lord brings that picture back to my mind of Beej looking into the eyes of Christ, and bringing him uninhibited, and unspoiled worship. How I long to occupy the space beside him.

Until then, I'll keep

Serving the King beside you,

dad