Well today I cut down a Christmas tree from my parents yard. Man we got some crazy ice storm the other night. Well let me tell you this is no "Charlie Brown" christmas tree of years past that I have had to endure. No my friends. This is a majestic, towering, beautiful tree whose pine scent is warmly greeted each time I come home to my apartment. Hang in there, this is going somewhere...So my oversize tree of perfect form looks as appropriate as a tree could look. Except for this. I won't decorate this tree, no shine or glitter, no sparkling lights, I just can't this year. I can hang one thing of splendor. I won't do it. What joy do I take from reading a story that your heart shared with me...just for me to hang an ornament and think about you for a few passing moments. I don't deserve your time. My tree this year is a majestic tree, humbled by being stipped of everything that it is used to. No flashing lights, no glamour, no decorations, no theme. I feel that maybe some of my audience feels a lot like my tree. Stripped of their ornaments, stripped of thier pride, forced to humbly stare the Christmas season in the face wanting to hide in their shame. I cut my tree from my parents yard. I have seen it in all its glory and my tree knows that it's purpose was to remind me of the humbleness I need to have. That some of us have learned. My tree will remain humble, a simple reminder that perhaps the further I stay away from a mall, the closer to Christmas I will truly be. God Bless you all.