I LOVE You Tree!

 

The "Honey-Do List" in this house is quite long. In the interest of preserving marital bliss, I won't share it with you here. Let's just say that "Honey" started a new job just before the baby arrived and he's been working and traveling enough for two men ever since. That is the segue to revealing that (drumroll, please): The Foss Family Christmas Tree still stands proudly in my family room on this seventh day of February!

There was a time in the life of my marriage when I would have actually written that "Honey Do" list and I would have oh-so-carelessly left it lying around. Or, I would have invited his mother to dinner, knowing that he wouldn't want her to see the tree in the corner. Or, I would have pouted and moped and complained about (1)the fact that he was gone and/or (2)the fact that the tree is annoying my sense of order. Neither #1 or #2 does me or anybody else much good.  It's wasted energy and does nothing to contribute to the atmosphere around here. His mother isn't coming to dinner any time soon. And the last thing the poor, overworked man needs is another list of things to do.

There was later time in my life when I would have taken it down myself. But I have since learned that some jobs are better left to big, strong men (and I have the scars to prove it).  Now, I have a couple of big strong, young men in my house.And both of them offered to take down the tree. But I know my Honey--he wants the tree in the box just so (and rightfully, I might add--trees last longer when they are handled with care and they are far easier to assemble when put away properly). And I know my young men--better not to let them touch the tree. Family harmony next advent is worth far more than freeing up space in that corner of the family room.

So, it stands in my family room, ornaments long since put away. And it reminds me every day of just how hard my husband is working to feed and clothe and shelter and educate this very large family.  It stands there and very early in the morning when it's still dark and no one is looking, I turn on the lights and I say prayer for the man who wishes he were home more.  I ask God to show us how He'd have us live, which choices He'd have us make. And I thank God for the Honey who chose that tree and who provided for it and for the house where it stands.

So, it only seemed natural on one very cold winter evening, when Honey was still at work long after dinner was done, to turn to those beautiful children and ask them to help me make that tree everything it was meant to be.

We took the pink paper hearts on which we'd written all the things and people we love and rested them firmly on the "God" doily and we hung them on the Daddy Valentine Tree! Martha Stewart, you can have your efficiency calendar that tells us all when to take down the Christmas tree. Mine just became the Tree of Love in this house full of life!

Comments

[Maria Ashwell]

Elizabeth, you can always make me smile and warm my heart. Your honey is truly blessed.

[Wendy in VA]

I love this! Thank you for the reminder to go easy on *my* hard-working honey as we get this house ready to sell. :o)

[Katherine in TX]

This is beautiful, Elizabeth. It's so good to keep in mind that when our husbands aren't available to the extent we'd like them to be, it is because they are working so hard to care of us.

Will this be an Easter tree too? :)

[Suzanne Temple]

I love this, Elizabeth!

[Kelly]

What a wonderful tribute to your husband and a testimony to what makes a happy marriage! Love the tree, hope your "honey" does too:)

[Mary Ellen Barrett]

This makes me smile. If I were you I would leave it up well past the 14th. It is so festive and the sentiments are just beautiful.

What a lucky guy!

[Rebecca]

I love that tree! It really is beautiful! I'd take your home full of love and Valentine trees over Martha's schedule anyday!

[Melanie]

Oh honey, God love you. I still haven't put away my nativity scene, and I can't blame that on my husband. That's just me. Shame, shame.

[Jill]

I love it!! Our tree would still be up I'm sure, except it became quite a fire hazard. The Christmas boxes are still out, though, although I doubt they'd be as cute with hearts on them. I love your attitude!

[Paula in MN]

Elizabeth this is the best idea! What a wonderful tribute to your provider here on earth!

[jen]

I, too, find your tree beautiful, actually, lovely. We did this one year with a slim alpine tree (new baby, too) and it stayed up all year. At Halloween we put pumpkins on it and then at Thanksgiving, Thankful leaves. Before Christmas it went outside for one good dusting and then became a Christmas tree again. Love your tribute to your husband as well. He's a lucky man to have you.

[andrea]

You are such a good influence for me. I love your posts about how you love your husband, they have enlightend me, and I'm sure that my husband would be thankful as well.
This post made me cry. Thank you for sharing.

[Meredith at Merchant Ships]

It's very pretty!

[Amy]

That is so beautiful! Both the tree and the sentiment behind it. Thank you for always being so inspiring, Elizabeth!

[bfarmmom(Kirsten)]

Elizabeth, What a beautiful post. This made me cry. My husband also works a lot and travels with his company. It is hard on me but yes it is also hard on him being away from home and us. Thank you for the beautiful reminder. I LOVE your tree. How perfect!!
Blessings to your awesome family,
Kirsten

[Marybeth foss]

Well we're thinking about making eggs to go on the tree (Mom, hint, hint, wink, wink!).

[KC]

Oh, beautiful (the tree and this post). You truly are a treasure to all of us.

[Kimberlee]

True love, patient and kind. How very blessed you both are!

[Beth]

Thank you for the post. The fact is, if my hubby didn't work so hard, I would never have had the privilege of this vocation.

[Jane Ramsey]

Your tree is beautiful, Elizabeth, and so is your attitude! It makes me wish I had a tree like that, but more than that, it reminds me to be kind and loving to my dear, hardworking husband.

[Lady Hatton]

A delicious jug of lemonade from some leftover Christmas lemons. Your loving tribute to your husband touched me deeply. We need to hear more of supporting and treasuring our husbands and less man-bashing. Thanks.

[stef]

Thank you SOOOO much, Elizabeth. (where's the hug icon?) I think you know just how much I needed this post.

[Christina]

Wow, Elizabeth. Thank you for sharing this. My DH doesn't travel but he works a ton of hours and our tree stayed up long past Christmas. I decided that I could take it down myself. Big mistake! It was harder than I thought and I couldn't get it all apart. DS and I drug it out to the garage where it was in the way for several weeks until DH had a chance to put it up. He was not too happy with my attempt to take it down and upset that I didn't wait for him to do it. It would have been much better if I had approached it with an attitude similar to yours. I'll be remembering your post next time I am frustrated that he didn't get something done because of his work schedule.

[Sarah]

This sounds like a great reason to leave the tree upon purpose! :) Thanks for sharing your positive turn to what could have been a grudge on your shoulder.

[Jenny Buckley]

Beautiful!!