Tumblin Christmas Tree

by Lori Miller
(Rome, New York)

The Christmas spirit really got a hold of me back in 1974.

I was out on my own and working, and decided that my mom, dad, and brothers and sisters still at home should have a real Christmas tree instead of the artificial silver tree ("Artie") we had put up every year for as long as I could remember.

A lady I worked with gave me a Xmas tree already in a stand, that was too small for the size of her living room, but just right for my parents' house. Her son put the tree in the trunk of my car, and off I went to surprise the family.

As I turned a corner, I heard a 'thump' and in the rear view mirror could see the tree - stand and all - bouncing down the road behind me. I pulled over expecting the worst, but instead saw a very cute guy walking to my car with the tree! He had witnessed the tree trying to make its escape, and stopped his pickup truck and saved the day. The stand was a little bent, but OK.

My family liked the Christmas tree too. Was I lucky or what?