The Real Treasure To Be Found Under The Tree

My father climbed into the attic and brought down the large Pampers box where he stored our artificial tree. Dusty corrugated boxes with the tops held together by masking tape followed. Decorating the house kicked off the holiday season for our family.

When it came to presents, my room was Gift Wrap Central. Wrapping paper, bows and bags of gifts covered the floor. I drew the line on wrapping my own gifts. So, I could always spot those; they were the ones in the store gift box dressed sparsely in a bow.

My brother played carols on the upright piano while Mom cooked. She roasted a chicken and prepared her special giblet gravy and dressing. When she wasn’t looking, I’d open the oven door and pick at the stuffing.

We sipped Swiss Miss hot cocoa at bedtime as the snow fell. Pressing my face against the cold window pane, I looked out onto the lawn at the white layers and dark shadows.

I remember lots of waiting: waiting for it to get dark to turn on the Christmas lights, staring at the tree and presents, tossing in bed trying to sleep on Christmas Eve. To a young kid, December was the longest month of the year.

Christmas morning moved even slower since we were up before sunrise and our parents told us not to wake them before seven.

When the grandfather clock chimed the hour, we pounced on our parents’ bed jumping up and down till they got up. It seemed like eternity by the time they woke, had breakfast and sat down in the family room by the tree. We opened our toys. Paper and trash piled high around the room.

I barely recall now the gifts I received, maybe a latch-hook rug kit and some board games. No gift really stands out.

What stands out these 30 years later are the traditions: trimming the tree, shopping, the magic of giving, being together, the food, the stories and the anticipation.

It wasn’t really the presents under the tree that bewitched this once small child, it was the love bundled neatly there.

Dec 25, 2005

0 Comments

About the Author

Mylinh Shattan is a writer who has lived on three continents, served in the Army, worked in corporate America, and taught in college. She loves adventures, in the world and in the mind. Literature is relevant and learning is a lifelong pursuit, so you might as well have a bit of fun along the way.

Stay Up to Date

Rise above the tedium with the TreeHouseLetter. Always learning with a bit of fun.

Latest Posts

Munger on Learning and the Art of Swearing

In memory of Charles T. Munger, who passed away at the age of 99, I am sharing a TreeHouseLetter from last year. Munger was a man who believed in always learning. In my whole life, I have known no wise people (over a broad subject matter area) who didn't read all the...

Giving Thanks for a Man I Never Met

4 Min read On love and Thanksgiving Three rules for life AVAILABLE ON PODCAST SPOTIFY * I did not know the deceased. Garrett gave the eulogy on Friday* which was hard to listen to, hard to hear his voice quaver, to see him fight for composure. Death is a surprise....

On Flesh-Eating Beetles and Sins of the Mother

7 Min read Sense writing: traditional five plus two more 2 Reading recs: historical novel and story 1 Writing guide Improve writing immediately Toolbox, ages 9 to 99 AVAILABLE ON PODCAST Spotify * Writing Through the Seven Senses When I'm working on an aspect of my...

In the Company of Heroes*

4 Min read Operation Gothic Serpent / "Black Hawk Down" 30-Year Anniversary 160th SOAR(A), Night Stalkers Panel Discussion: Mike Durant (Pilot & POW), Dan Jollota (Pilot), Lee Van Arsdale (Ground commander) Veterans Day AVAILABLE ON PODCAST Spotify * This Veterans...

Spooky Hour with Spirits of the Dead

6 min read Word Work 2 Lexicons: Webster's NID 2nd Ed and Shorter OED 1 Book rec Halloween, All Saints' Day, All Souls' Day Fall mocktail, easy and delicious AVAILABLE ON PODCAST SPOTIFY Lakeview Cemetery next to my father's grave * No pressure but what are you doing...

What’s in Your Trunk?

5 Min read New England's largest flea market* Poetry for Emergencies--on the folly of fame, legacy, empire Sonnet by Percy Bysshe Shelley Book rec on writing song lyrics Toolbox, use 7 senses to improve writing** Texan king in a cow pasture AVAILABLE ON PODCAST...

Why Do I Run?

7 min read 4 book recs: two on running and two on living Running gear for mid-life and the mid-packer Training, injury-free and effortless The Army Ten-Miler * AVAILABLE ON PODCAST SPOTIFY * Why do I run? I'm not sure I like running, even when I was fit and fast....

Topics

Inoculate yourself against the absurdity of life with a dose of the best ideas and writing. Always learning with a bit of fun.

TreeHouseLetter

Always learning with a bit of fun

 

 

Readers receive one to two letters a week, with 2 to 10 minute read time. Includes regular features:

 

The Music in Prose
Poetry for Emergencies
Toolbox

 

 

Be inspired by the best writing and ideas, and become better readers and writers in the process.

Thank you for joining! Please check your email for a confirmation.