“I want a BIG tree this year,” Thalia told me. “A REALLY big tree.”
I sat her down and told her that there wasn’t going to be a big tree this year. That we decided not to spend the money on a big tree, and to instead put it towards nice gifts.
The tears started to well up in her eyes.
I stumbled for more justification. That it was so late in the season for a big tree. That live trees smelled beautiful. That we we loved the Charlie Brown tree we had last year. That a live tree is nice for the earth. That we could plant it at Grandma’s house again and watch it grow every year and one day it would be a big tree.
Still, she was crushed.
Earlier this week Nate came home with a tree. A live one in a pot, as described, no bigger than Thalia not counting the pot. It was a about one-twentieth the size of the one Thalia had fallen in love with at her cousin’s house last week. He set it on the ground and tentatively pulled off the blue plastic bag that sat over top. I felt my teeth clench and my shoulders tighten. We turned towards Thalia.
Thalia scurried towards the tree, eyes wide, arms open.
She hugged it.
“A big tree, daddy! You got the big tree! Ohhhh…. I love it. Thank you!” she gushed. “Oh thank you, I love it!”
And she did.
That right there? That’s Christmas.
Merry and happy to you and yours.
29 shards of brilliance… read them below or add one
Awww… that is the cutest thing and perfect to put even the Grinch in the Christmas spirit!
Merry Christmas, guys
Just goes to show you that “big” is in the eye of the beholder. Glad Thalia's Xmas wish came true.
That is the perfect Christmas story. Everything in perspective.
Joyeux Noël to you and all your loved ones, little and big. And thanks for the gifts of wit, wisdom and wisecracks that come from your blog all year…
I love you guys!
Way to go making me cry on Christmas, Mom101.
Gorgeous story.
It's all a matter of perspective, isn't it?
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas!
That gave me chills. How wonderful. Merry Christmas!!!
Sometimes kids can surprise you… thankfully!
Merry Christmas from another teeny-tree family.
Happy Christmas to you too.
I love that story. Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you!
Oh and by the way, I got a big plush octopus for Christmas this year. Exactly what I needed!
Kids surprise me. They are awesome when you least expect it.
Kids, I tell you. Some days they make it look so easy. Seasons' greetings to you and yours.
This is beautiful. What a lovely child she is.
Oh, I love it!! What a wonderful story. I hope you all had a Merry Christmas!
Yet more proof why we love them more than we can possibly comprehend. Love to you and the family. Merry Christmas!
Very sweet indeed. Merry (belated) Christmas, Happy (belated) Hanukkah, and Happy (early) New Years!
Perfect.
Merry New Year to you all.
Aren't kids amazing? I could totally see my son doing the same thing.
That is so sweet.
Perspective is everything, isn't it?
I hope you and your family had happy holidays!
SOB! I want to squish her.
Sometimes a big tree is all it takes. Glad things turned out okay.
Awwww… When my son was around four, he opened a Christmas present. He looked at it for a minute with a big smile, and then he set it aside. His older brother asked “What's wrong? Don't you want to play with it? Santa gave it to you!” Baby brother looked at it again, and his eyes grew wide: “You mean… I get to keep it?” Such excitement – it was a beautiful moment.
i love this story. AND, I can see Thalia in my mind's eye with all that expressive love. Sniff.
You need to turn this into a children's book STAT. This story needs to be illustrated and shared.
Sounds like it was the perfect tree for her! Hope your holidays are bright! : )
Just catching up on a snowy New Year's afternoon. Thanks for this. The magic of Christmas is alive and well!