In times of stress and the fear that it's only going to get worse, humans tend to cling to things that bring them a sense of comfort and security - hence the term security blanket. For some of us it's a well worn bathrobe, or a blanket, or music that calms our nerves, or movies that hit our feel good buttons. Maybe it's grandma's chicken soup or carrying on with our Sunday tradition of beer, finger foods, and football. Or, maybe it's ... a Christmas tree.
Yes, you read that correctly - a Christmas Tree. I have come across several folks on Facebook who have put up their trees. Some are decorating them with autumn themes like pine cones, dried flowers and dried fruit with the idea of re-decorating them after Thanksgiving with a more Christmas-like theme. A few folks that have done this have shared that there is something about a tree that gives out a sense of stability and feeling grounded. One woman wrote that by decorating it first for Thanksgiving, she was showing her gratitude for the seasons, for the abundance that nature provides. It helps her to stay rooted in her values.
I have written about trees on this blog over the last seven years probably more than any other aspect of nature and what they bring to our lives. Given what is going on in the country, and in the world, at the present time. I can't think of a better quote about trees than this one from writer and activist Tasneem Hameed:
"Learn character from trees, values from roots, and change from leaves."
Trees never try to be something other than they are, a strong presence in nature, a provider of food and shelter, for all living things, and a reminder that even when all their leaves fall to the ground, in spring they will return. A maple tree doesn't dream of being a pine tree. An oak tree isn't envious of the blossoms on a cherry tree. They are who they are, they live out their lives knowing that the sun will rise again, the seasons will change, and there's enough for everyone.
A few years ago after downsizing to a small studio apartment, I traded in my bigger artificial Christmas tree (my daughter is allergic to live ones) for a smaller one that is covered in flocking like snow and sits wrapped in a burlap ball just like the trees do when their planted. I love this little tree because it so reminds me of how they look in nature. Maybe, just maybe, I'll haul it out and decorate it in pine cones and dried berries, and colorful cut-out autumn leaves. And maybe, just maybe, it will remind me every time I look at it of how grateful I am for all that I have.
And so it is.
