The Tinsel Tree

"It's a fake tree", I said the year
my mother lost her mind and decided that real trees were too much trouble!
My best friend, who lived next door
thought it was just great,....that giant, silver monstrosity!
That is..until I told her to close her eyes, and sniff.
"That's the ugliest tree I ever smelled!" she said, ...finally agreeing with me.
Her support helped to convince my mother of her error in judgment,
and that was the last tinsel tree we ever had.

That was the same year
that we noticed that Santa Claus looked a lot
like our neighbor, Mr. Hendrickson.
We had called him "Mr. Hiccupson"
until we would go into fits of giggles
watching how his belly jiggled.  

Spending all those Christmas's apart
 after her family moved away, was painful
Never again would we have special sleepovers, 
      and times like singing around that fake tree,
         and listening for Mr. Hendrickson's reindeer to land on the roof.
We had written letters for awhile, but after a few years
   we drifted apart....her living on one coast, me on the other.
But I had never forgotten that last Christmas....and the silver tinsel tree.

Out of the blue...a phone call,...a voice that time hadn't forgotten.
Suddenly, we were laughing and giggling like two little girls once again.
Sometimes, when you least expect it,
Christmas shows up early,....like a long lost friend
   and wraps you up in it's arms.
         Thank you Santa Claus.....or Mr. Hiccupson, ......wherever you are!.....
Copyright © | Year Posted 2009

Poem

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Johnson Avatar
December 29, 2015 at 10:48 PM
Very enjoyable, Carrie. Congratulations. Love, Joyce
A  Avatar
December 29, 2015 at 6:18 PM
CARRIE, Congratulations on your nice win. Enjoy the coming year..... SKAT
Gentry Avatar
December 28, 2015 at 8:58 PM
Congratulations! Lovely story!
Negron Flores Avatar
December 28, 2015 at 6:40 PM
Congratulations Carrie
Haight Avatar
December 13, 2014 at 2:21 PM
Carrie, congratulations on your nice win! I really enjoyed the story and the way you narrated it. Hugs, Sandra
Meier-Hans Avatar
December 11, 2014 at 11:44 AM
Congratulations on your win with this great poem Carrie.
Jerden Avatar
December 10, 2014 at 10:41 AM
This sounds so detailed, it must be from life! Very amusing! Congratulations! (BTW, they sell a spray-on tree scent for the fakers, which we have been for the past 5-8 years. I like balsam fir.)
Allison Avatar
December 9, 2014 at 6:58 PM
a wonderful story many congrats:-) Hugs jan xx
A  Avatar
January 15, 2014 at 9:35 PM
CARRIE, :) Congrats, in the "Santa Claus" contest! Sweet winning poem. laterz ~SKAT~
Andresen Avatar
January 4, 2014 at 7:00 AM
- Santa Claus, contest - sponsored by: Debbie Guzzi is drawn and Christmas is over - CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR WINNING POEM, CARRIE! - Now Santa Claus needs to take a well-deserved vacation :))) - oxox // Anne-Lise :)
Tams The Golden Girl Avatar
January 4, 2014 at 5:29 AM
Hiya and congratulations Carrie love xx
Lamoureux Avatar
January 3, 2014 at 7:48 PM
This is destined to be a classic! Congratulations.
Guzzi Avatar
January 3, 2014 at 4:26 PM
Wow it's YOU, you know I can never tell it's you. Congrad's Carrie what a treasure you wrote. Light & Love
Strand Avatar
December 11, 2009 at 12:33 AM
Thank you for your encouragement today to my endeavours Carrie.Rgds Brian
Strand Avatar
December 11, 2009 at 12:04 AM
Thank you for your welcome blog comments today Carrie.Rgds Brian
Dufresne Avatar
December 9, 2009 at 3:29 PM
A really beautiful story. You brought us right there with you, smiles and all. Thank you Carrie. Robert
Austin Avatar
December 9, 2009 at 1:35 PM
Love it. Thinking of past Christmases gives a sickness of the soul, for the loss, don't you see. Yours is a good revival. Love, daver
La France Avatar
December 9, 2009 at 8:26 AM
I recall one year we had a tinsel tree, and yes, they sure are ugly. Your poem is so lovely with warm thoughts of friendship and christmas memories, I just love it and thanks so much for your comment on my poem Snowflakes(like kisses)
Strand Avatar
December 9, 2009 at 12:50 AM
Always good ro re-read a poet with style Carrie May your gifts multiply in new directions in 2010 Rgds Brian & thanks for your welcome commnts .Excellent blog,may it be.
Townsend Avatar
December 8, 2009 at 8:20 PM
Beautiful Carrie, it is amazing how true friendship can stand the test of miles and time, especially during the holidays. I remember being a "giggling girly" it was fun. Thank you for the reminder. Smiles and giggles (Mr. Pot-Bellied Stove... LOL) from Lolita
Freeman Avatar
December 8, 2009 at 6:56 PM
I saw your title post Carrie, and had to see what it was about. This is so true of children growing up. Was so hilarious, the part, part when you noticed that Santa looked a lot like Mr. Hendrickson.Haa! Good Job, Sincerely, Love, Moses
Shango Avatar
December 8, 2009 at 6:54 PM
Know that feeling ... there is something special about relationships, sort of magnets always for Christmas. Beautiful.
Owens Avatar
December 8, 2009 at 6:42 PM
Wonderful poem Carrie...love it...Marty
Lopez Avatar
December 8, 2009 at 6:40 PM
Hi Carrie hope you are doing well!..........you speak of a great holiday and special friendships...... well worth the repost
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