December arrived bringing new-fallen snow
The little ones were dancing with glee
Knowing it wouldn't be long 'til Santa Claus came
And it was the day to go and get the tree



Daddy had to work a double shift at the mine
We older kids begged to do it instead
Lena and I sat there huddled with the tools
While Junior guided the horses and sled



Mother balked about letting us girls go along
But she knew that we were in good hands
Junior had his share of looking out for us
And all that being a big brother demands



We went to a place about a mile down the road
To look for the perfect Christmas tree
Lena found a buckeye and we told her it was poison
But she was stubborn and wouldn't let it be



Fussing for an hour about which one to cut
Getting colder, we decided to call a truce
So, taking a vote with the girls winning out
We settled on a frosty, blue spruce



Realizing little sister had wandered away
Junior and I dropped the saw and ran
Just as Lena rolled and tumbled down the hill
Her precious buckeye still in her hand



Gathering snow as she picked up speed
She was at the bottom before we got there
When we reached her, both scared to death
She grinned broadly, none the worse for wear



Reese and Cheryl and Danny and Lavaughn
Were at the window when we got the tree home
Mother had hot cocoa on the back of the stove
And we were thrilled when she served us each some



Junior nailed wood on the bottom for a stand
We used soap flakes to simulate snow
Adding colored lights and tinsel and balls
We admired our tree in the firelight's glow



A big family like ours makes a lot of memories
And that's one that still remains a part of me
On that cold, December day so many years ago
When the three of us went and got the tree



Kathleen McCoy Eldridge©
November 27, 2007
All Rights Reserved