If the 12 days of Christmas refer to the interval between Christmas and Epiphany, then the same duration beforehand — the 12 days *prior* to Christmas, — are the Christmas countdown. And they’ve now begun…
We’re already several days into this beautiful tree from Karen and Jim Thew, owners of the Spruce Mill Brook Christmas Tree Farm in Lewis, New York. Susan and I went up to pick out a Christmas tree this past Sunday with hopes of beating the incoming drizzle-sleet-snow-drizzle.
The rain held off long enough for us to pick the perfect tree and enjoy a thoroughly delightful conversation with Jim. We’ve purchased trees from his father over many years, so it was fun to hear the family history starting with his grandfather. Better yet, Jim offered to deliver our balsam fir tree (and a festive centerpiece for the dining room table). He was already planning to drop off a wreath, as I recall, for another family in Essex that afternoon/evening, and he insisted on transporting our Christmas tree door-to-door at the same time. What a gift!
Jim pulled up punctually with the Christmas tree in his truck about an hour before a friend was to arrive for dinner. After unloading the tree, we proceeded to talk. And talk. And talk. In fact, if I didn’t already have a dinner guest on the way, I would’ve asked him to join us for dinner. Not only did we discover all sorts of life overlaps (from North Country living and construction to a love for lacrosse and ice hockey), but I quickly discovered that his personality and sense of humor are as broad as his shoulders. I thoroughly enjoyed his visit, and I’m looking forward to our next opportunity to swap stories. Susan and I are profoundly grateful to him for delivering our tree and jumpstarting our Christmas countdown.
There’s something about an experience like that reminds me how much we value the generosity and down-to-earth values that prevail in this remarkable region where community is more than a buzzword. It sometimes feels like we’ve turned the clock back a century or more. People are still genuinely good to one another. People still take the time to talk. People still take the time to listen.
It may sound a little corny, but this experience invokes the best of the Christmas season. Now our home is crowned with a perfectly beautiful Christmas tree, our rooms are ringing with Christmas carols, and our hearts are bursting with Christmas joy. What pleasure. What privilege.
Thank you, Jim!
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