Our Christmas Tree

I don't know about you, but as a girl I always loved decorating the Christmas tree. I looked forward to the trips to the store each year for new ornaments and tinsel. And each year, as I argued with my Mom and brothers over what would make the perfect addition to the tree, I dreamed of what it would be like to get a tree decorated just the way that I wanted it.

Here we are today, and I find ornaments like this


on my Christmas tree. I have to say that this is definitely not the tree that I envisioned those many years ago. As I look at the varied assortment of Star Wars, Ninja Turtles, Buzz Lightyear, and Spiderman ornaments that now grace my tree, I think back to the first year that we were married when I picked a Snoopy dressed as Santa ornament - that was more the direction I saw our tree going - pretty plaid bows and festive holiday themed ornaments. Not action heroes shooting at each other through the branches (who thought that such a sight was in keeping with the spirit of the season, anyway!).

But the boys (my husband included) love these ornaments, and they definitely make a statement about our family. In fact, the above pictured ornament was actually a gift to my husband when I was pregnant with Brennan. As I looked at this ornament, I quickly decided the perfect place for it - the back of the tree (I know, I know - how horrible!). My husband was deeply offended and I grudgingly moved it to a "more prominent place on the tree" (per his request).

Yet as I gave in to this request, I quickly realized that this is not my tree in my house. This was our tree in our house. I realized how unfair and selfish I had been in attempting to impose my desires without taking into account my husband's wishes (and now my boys too). As the years have passed, I have tried to consider this account as I make household decorating decisions. It is in this spirit that our front bathroom was recently redone not in the lavender and green flowers that I really wanted, but in blue with baseball themed towels. I admit that now I love it!

And I love our tree too. It may not be the tree I originally dreamed of, but it is the perfect tree for our family, and so it is the perfect tree for me after all.