The Tree of Hope

Photo Provided by Becky Nelson
There is nothing quite like a freshly cut Christmas tree. The smell of balsam filling the house, the twinkling lights showing through windows makes even the grinchiest of grinches feel a little bit better about the season. The fond nostalgia of holidays past may spark when some who have seen many holidays before catch a glimpse of a Christmas tree. Those that have recently lost loved ones may feel the melancholy of a holiday alone, but find comfort in the memories of holidays past. The anticipation of holidays future may shine in those who have big things to celebrate…youth, engagements, anniversaries.

This season is a very tough time for many. Losses may hang heavy for some. In this tough economy, making ends meet is hard enough, and the extra pressure of buying gifts can lead to high stress levels. The loss of health for some can be an insurmountable challenge for some, and the twinkle of the season holds no joy. The loss of a loved one can throw a dark shadow over the celebratory time and create a scar that will be impossible to cover. There are certainly extra pressures put on all of us this time of year, and it’s hard to handle for many.

For those of us in a position to help alleviate the hurt, sadness and needs of others, it is a time for a moment of introspection and a time for opening our hearts to others. Even if we don’t have wallets bursting with cash, there are ways to reach those that hurt. If you are able to help with a financial donation to any charity, now is the time. If you have some extra canned goods or non-perishables to drop at a food pantry or a church, now is the time. If you have a minute to volunteer at a food pantry, thrift shop, soup kitchen or nursing home, now is the time to start. If you have no spare time to give to a non-profit, simply start smiling at others in the grocery store or on the street. Flash a smile at the person who cuts you off in traffic instead of flipping the bird. Take a moment to try to put yourself in someone else’s shoes before you judge or dismiss them.

I am surrounded by trees every day of every week from now until Christmas. I marvel at the work that goes into creating the “perfect” shape. I marvel at the hours and hours of work someone has to put into nurturing that tree to create a special backdrop for personal celebrations. I marvel at the resilience of the tree itself, weathering droughts and blistering sun, mounds of snow and frigid temperatures, all the time creating something beautiful for others and creating a beacon of hope for those with any hope left. These trees are a symbol of what we should be.

Like everything else, the price of Christmas trees has increased. Even without the inflationary pressure, the cost of a tree would be higher, but add in the increased “inputs” of labor, fuel and supplies and the jump in cost has occurred. But at any price, the trees should be a symbol to ourselves of what we can become…a beacon of hope for others. When you head to the tree lot to find the perfect tree for your home, take a moment to think about your tree and what it symbolizes for you and add a little bit of someone else’s wishes to that list.