This may look like any other tree decorated with Christmas lights, but it represents much more.
A few months ago, my neighbor approached me about decorating a 4o foot Canadian Hemlock tree in my yard with Christmas lights. She would buy the lights and have them installed, if she could use my tree. I immediately said yes.
In late 2022, my neighbor’s mother-in-law, Sue, died of complications from COVID. She was a wonderful woman, who loved her family, her friends, her community and Christmas. When she wasn’t raising her two sons, she was volunteering, serving on boards, greeting at the local hospital, and being a trustee for a local college. She was indeed a pillar of the community.
Her son, Kurt, and daughter-in-law, Martine, wanted to celebrate her life and her love of the community and Christmas, by decorating my tree. While they could have decorated a tree in their own yard, few people would have seen it. The tree in my yard is visible from 9W, a busy road, so many people see it.
Prior owners of my home, the Parisers, had previously told me the tree was planted to celebrate the birth of their son, Seth. They lived in the house for almost 50 years before they sold it. They and their children have shared wonderful memories of growing up in the house. One of my favorite stories Deborah Pariser shared is that her daughter loved the wildlife in the yard. Deborah said she came into the kitchen one day and saw a snake her daughter had brought into the house slithering around in the kitchen sink.
Most people driving by just see a tree with Christmas lights, but many others see a celebration. A celebration of life. The birth of a son, and a memory of Sue’s life well lived. I enjoy the tree year-round as it is a lovely specimen tree growing in my yard. Many thanks to my wonderful neighbors Martine and Kurt for making this display possible for the community to enjoy.
May we all be like Sue, Martine and Kurt, caring for our families, friends, neighbors and community.
Such wonderful memories. I can’t wait to drive by!!!!!
Thank you, Suellen. Happy Thanksgiving!
Your essay is a warm reminder, like the Christmas season, of how we we share, support, and celebrate one another. Thank you Paul.
Thank you, Kathleen. Happy Thanksgiving!
Looks amazing, Paul 🎄
Who installed the lights on the Tree 💫
?
Thank you, Jen. I don’t know the man’s name. My neighbor Martine found him as a referral from another neighbor. He is sort of a general handyman who also likes Christmas. Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving.
I have had the pleasure of seeing this glorious tree with all its lights while driving on 9w. It’s beautiful. Now that I know a story behind it… It’s spectacular!! Merry Christmas!!
Thank you, Theresa. I appreciate your comment. Merry Christmas.
Paul, this is a wonderful blog. That’s my tree or as my family named it, the “Seth tree”. It was also my first base bag because that’s where it was planted on what was my baseball field. The Japanese maple was 3rd base. The Private Road was the warning track and the Seaman yard and house were the outfield grandstands.
The Hemlock and I are both the same age (I’ll be 54 on December 11). It was actually planted I believe when I was in the first grade because for about 5 minutes, I was taller than it and that’s my memory.
I love what your neighbors and you have done and I cannot think of a finer way to embellish the tree than what has been done.
You are a great story teller.
This article warms my heart.
Best,
Seth
Me too!!!❤️
Paul, this is a charming tale and all true. As for the snake in the sink. My daughter Amy brought in the perfectly harmless garter snake but we wanted out of the house. Deborah told Amy that the snakes mommy was missing her and had to go back outside to be with it’s mommy. Amy brought it outside but said “It was the nicest snake she ever knew”