The simplicity of the Season.

Last night the kids were all away at friends homes. Kathy and I were alone at home and we were preparing to put up the Christmas tree. As we pulled out the box containing our fake tree (which by the way I love over the hassle of a real tree), we shuffled around furniture, cleaned out the area that the tree would go, and got things ready to put up our tree. The house was quiet and it was nice to have just the two of us. I had just come from an appointment, and Kathy was taking a break from a studying for her final exams in calculus. Judging from her pile of empty sunflower seed shells she had been at it for most of the day. As we put the tree up it was nice to just have the two of us there, it reminded me of when we were first married and were anxiously getting ready for our first Christmas season as new parents.
The tree went together without any hitches, the lights worked the first time without having to search for the strand that had a burnt bulb or finding the right combinations of cords that is key to making it light up. Once the tree was up, we had a chance to set back and look at the simple tree with the white lights. To me it was perfect, and I would have left it exactly as it was because it seemed so pure and to me represents the feelings that I have over this Holiday. There have been past years that we have had some really good presents for the kids, and those were fun years. This year things will be scaled back, but surprisingly enough, the kids are aware and are fine with this. Things are looking up, I should start my new job shortly, Kathy is almost done with her rigorous school and work schedule and is getting ready for some time off.
We are looking forward to seeing Mandy perform with the Mormon Youth Symphony for her first year. Jeff is making plans to come home, Jake has purchased his presents from Santa's workshop, and Tim is working on getting his drivers license so that he can get a part time job.

This year we are counting our blessings. At the beginning of every month I have sat in my truck on my way to a job and silently say to myself, "it is July, or August, or whatever month, and we are still here." This has been a year of struggle, but it has also been a year of blessings. We have learned to live on less, but as we look around we realize that we are still more fortunate than so many around us.
Christmas has become so out of control over the years, and I am glad that this year we have the opportunity to simplify things to really appreciate the importance of season. Two nights ago Kathy got out one of my favorite gifts ever. It is a blanket that she made for me several years ago, it is a blanket made out of old jeans from work pants that she had somehow saved over the years. I like it because it was such a personal gesture, but the jeans represent many years of hard work that has allowed us to support our family, and make a living.

As we stood by the tree the other night she leaned back against me and I put my arms around her. We looked at the tree and just looked at it for a moment in silence. There was a sense of peace and contentment, something that has been lacking at times lately. We will add to the tree, but it will be with ornaments from years past, vacations that we have taken, special ornaments from Grandma Mecham that she gives to the kids every year, and I think we will leave it at that. I have seen some trees that are so over the top that you cannot even see the branches. I have seen some of these trees, and the costs of the decorations that have gone on them, but as we looked at our simple tree, I am certain that it is the pretties one that we have ever had, and this year it will serve as more than just a decoration, it is a reminder that the Lord has blessed us over this year, and we are here as a family, closer than ever.