Part of life and the Christmas Season that is such a beautiful tradition is the Christmas tree. We do not have a Holiday tree here in my home.

I think some of my most favorite memories growing up is surrounding the Christmas tree. For those of us that grew up with them as part of our tradition they just bring such life and light to our homes.

I remember when my dad would say we would decorate the tree and he and my mom would get the stuff out bulbs ,garland etc. We had real trees and fake ones over the years. My parents had all 5 kids within 7 years so it was a crazy scene. The excitement level for my parents was too much at times. We were all so excited.  I think my dad preferred Korea at that point more than the tree trimming.  Lol. My poor dad deserves a purple heart for raising 1 angel my sister and 4 active and busy boys. Lol

My sister was and is the ultimate big sister / mother hen lol. Their is nothing she will not do for any of us. A class act like my mom. Xoxo.

For my sister:  we drove her to  near insanity. Xoxo

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=2Dec9Jb_Ac4

On a sad note my sister’s Dolls did not servive her 4 brothers. I was not responsible. I was the angel. 🙂  okay, okay, I will go to confession. OMG 🙂

My sister, was the eldest and in those days kids could walk together to a destination without the worry of getting snatched so my dad paid us kids off to go to the Fidelity house . Or Fidel to me. It is still is a great community center that is part of St. Agnes Parish in Arlington. So, my sister took 3 of us to Fidel to play with the other kids. I wanted candy 🙂 lots and lots of it , I loved cherry licorice.LOL

Well I got lots of it , my sugar level blasted off and those bell bottomed pants hit that staircase 100 miles an hour. My sister was in hot pursuit of me to see what I was up to. Meanwhile my younger brother R was taking no prisioners at the other end of the youth center. We arrived back at our home with my sister only a short while after we had left. My father’s bribe money was gone my sister was crying and we were back getting into the boxes of decorations that he was attempting to get out. Dad was not a happy camper. I think it was not only because of us but his tree selection was ugly. It was silver and had a light that sat on the floor that turned so the tree changed color as it spun. That light was my best toy that Christmas 🙂 LOL. When it stopped spinning and  working I just looked as surprised as my dad did.. OMG. Something for confession now! 🙂

I was such an angel. My father and mother did not put up with a whole lot of guff and when we hit a certain point of whatever we were doing. It was punishment time. What my parents said was done. They commanded respect.

And if we were at school and acted up the nuns disciplined us too. My parents did not assume my guilt or innocence. Everything required a meeting , mom,dad at least one of them me and my teacher and the principal. The next day ! The situation was discussed I would have the opportunity to speak and then my school  punishment was laid out for my crime. My parents always ended their meetings thankyou sisters and what ever you think for punishment is fine . We are sorry with a smile then look down at me and say right Dan. Then  My mom would say we will talk after school. My mom had that look like your in trouble. I felt the heat coming out of my collar of my shirt from the sweat. I would get out of school and walk down the walkway towards my mother’s car at the curb and all of a sudden the front seat was not where I wanted to be, I preferred the trunk.

I got in back as all of my  4 siblings arrived back to the car. The talk started so Dan I heard you were in trouble today from my brother. He was very happy and they were waiting to see what the story was. Of course I gave my answer back to my brother and just the tone of my voice sent my mother’s eyes to look into her rear view mirror and her finger went into action, I almost dropped dead. I knew she was mad and was waiting to get home where the leather interior was not hiding me. Lol

We arrived home and my mother said YOU as I got out of the car, you get to your room now, I don’t want to hear one word! I will deal with you shortly. I dropped my book bag at the door and went running up the stairway. I can remember it like it was yesterday. I sat in my room that I shared with my younger brother and was looking at the model planes and boats my dad built with me and was looking out my window thinking it looks so nice out. Yet I was scared. I was thinking what if I can’t go out to the park and play my friends were going to meet me there.

Every noise on the stairs got me sicker. My youngest brother R came along looked in the room and said hey, your in trouble. He was so pleased. When he heard my mom coming he split the scene so he did not get into trouble too.LOL

MY mom and dad were not hitters or spankers for sure but they were tough disciplinarians. My mom could pick you up by the arm and carry you from a situation kneel down and lock eyes and wag that finger and you knew that this situation would never happen again. My dad had the same game plan, he used less words than my mom and he would stop what he was doing, turn his head and say oh yah! When he got a report about one of us and is finger pointed and away we ran. They were fair but tough. My mom and dad lived their teaching of mean what you say, say what you mean but don’t be mean when you say it.

Well anyway back to the tree 🙂

The tree got decorated my farther always kept his temper in check and made our decorating experience fun. My father is a strong brave family man with a very kind heart. He is exactly who I would like to be like someday.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care with hopes that the candy would soon be there . 🙂

The Origin of the Christmas tree.

http://www.allaboutjesuschrist.org/origin-of-the-christmas-tree-faq.htm

One night with the King Aretha Franklin

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=rxcXV3fHmVE

Aretha Franklin. This Christmas.

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=CLQbyEprUxQ

Oh Christmas Tree

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=9NZwWK3GXhg 

God Bless You,

Danny