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"But we have a tree, what are you going to do with our tree, you can't just leave it outside, it's our tree!"

The tree in question was a very scrappy looking potted pine that we'd brought in from the backyard each year for Christmas. We'd had the tree so long we can't really remember when or where it appeared. The first year it was a tabletop decoration, the picture perfect tree in miniature with full, needle filled branches and a lovely triangle shape. After its moment of glory it was put outside and mostly forgotten about. We rewarded its survival by bringing it back inside the next Christmas. At some point, we draped a skirt around it, hung a few lights and formally adopted it as our tree.

Necessary Explanations

As the years went on, kids were born and life got busier. Each year the tree continued to survive in the backyard for 49 neglected weeks, only to be moved back to its place of honor at week 50. The branches became less full, gaps appeared and it became more Charlie Brown and less Norman Rockwell. Holiday guests struggled to find the appropriate adjective to describe our tree. "Wow, that sure is a, hmm, a very natural looking tree." Somewhat embarrassed, we always felt the need to explain why we had this particular tree. In the holiday swirl of perfect gifts and perfect decorations, our lopsided, threadbare tree seemed out of place.

One More Year

A few years ago we decided to get a "real" tree, one that had that lovely shape, fresh pine scent and would not require an explanation to the holiday guests. Our announcement to the kids of the new tree plan was greeted with disbelief and protests. Relenting, Charlie Brown came inside once again, looking less coniferous and more deciduous than the year before.

Part of the Family

I suppose we shouldn't have been surprised that the boys would come to the tree's defense; after all it was the only tree they'd ever known. Bringing it in every year was as much a part of our holiday tradition as leaving out milk and cookies for Santa. I had to admit, I'd come to feel the tree was part of the family, like a slightly disheveled, lovable relative that kept turning up every year. Looking back at pictures of both the kids and the tree I'd marvel at how they'd grown. At some point, the tree outgrew the top of the table and little boys no longer needed a step ladder to hang the ornaments. In the frantic pace of the holidays, the scrappy tree with its paper preschool star felt like a solid, stable anchor. In a disposable, throw-away world, our tree was the ultimate in holiday regifting.

Honorable Retirement

Last year we started over with a new living tree. Smaller, younger and in better shape, it sits on a table top like its counterpart did all those years ago. The boys agreed to welcome the new tree so long as the Charlie Brown version stayed in the family. We transplanted the old one, hooked it up to the drip system and gave it a place of honor in the yard. From the kitchen window I can gaze on the original tree and remember the joy of Christmas past and in the living room, I can view the promise of Christmas present and future.

Both trees help remind me that the important things are friends and family and those who've been there over the years. No doubt there'll be a day when I'll be scraggly looking with branches bent and when that day arrives, I can only hope I'll still be loved and taken in for the holidays.

- Regina Stoops

Raised in a town called Normal, comedian, award-winning storyteller and writer Regina Stoops takes her audience on an entertaining journey through a life filled with so many causes she's run out of room on her car's bumper. With thought-provoking honesty and humor, Regina details the hurdles, detours and lessons learned along life's path. It's a story of resilience and the support that shows up when you're willing to be out and open about the struggles you face. With a wide range of topics to cover, Regina is a regular performer at fundraisers, conferences and venues throughout the country.She writes about her chaos and causes at her NormalNotes blog.