It was December of 1963 a Christmas tree was being decorated in Mr. Breeden's sixth grade class where I attend school. All the students are making and bringing decorations from home to put on this special one of a kind tree. Why is this tree so special? Mr. Breeden cut this tree off his farm for this class. All the students help in putting the tree in the stand and decorating it with love.
This was a most unusual year, you see our President John Fitzgerald Kennedy had been assassinated and darkness hangs over the entire nation as well as this class. It was Mr. Breeden's way of returning joy and love to replace the sadness felt this Christmas. Even though we were considered children at that age we felt the devastation and loss that our parents and teachers could not hide. We saw it on the evening news, we heard the comments and watched the funeral. It had brought this great nation to it's knees. We as a class were unable to comprehend such an act of madness here in America.
(ENOUGH ABOUT THAT, THIS IS A CHRISTMAS STORY, SORRY, BUT IT SEEMED IMPORTANT TO FEEL THE MOOD OF THE COUNTRY THAT YEAR. I CAN STILL FEEL IT AFTER ALL THESE YEARS.)
The Christmas tree represents peace, love and togetherness to all of us in the class. As it happens school is shutting down early for Christmas break and we are taking down the tree. All of us are taking our handmade or brought from home special decorations back home to hang on our trees. One young boy was extremely sad about this, he did not have tree at home. Usually a week before Christmas his family would go buy a tree but money was extremely tight this year. The family of 6 did not have a tree. As the boy help carry the tree outside and place it up against the fence for trash pick up he was hurting inside. Sadness fills his heart.
As the boy walks home his heart was heavy. That Christmas tree would do no one any good and his family needs a Christmas tree. The boy turns around seems he will carry the Christmas tree home to his family. He felt better just thinking about it.
The once beautiful Christmas tree lay up against the fence, discarded before Christmas, how sad it seems! A Christmas tree not making it to see Christmas morning. Three boys carried it out of the classroom yet this young boy was determined to carry the tree many blocks. It was to be his family's Christmas tree and he would see to that and he did. It took a heap of doing but you see his heart was set on accomplishing his goal. The family had it's Christmas tree and the tree shines once again. It shines even brighter with a star on top and lights. The boy thought it was the most beautiful tree ever. His two young sisters eyes of delight made it all worthwhile. To children it's not Christmas without a Christmas tree.
THE CHRISTMAS TREE STANDS IN THE CORNER BUT FILLS CHILDREN'S HEARTS AND SHINES BREATHTAKINGLY BEAUTIFUL TO TAKE THEM AWAY TO A MAGICAL PLACE. CHILDREN DON'T COMPREHEND RICH AND POOR. THEY UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY SEE AND FEEL. THE CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTS SHINING IS PURE BEAUTY AND REPRESENTS LOVE. BESIDES IT JUST DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT A PERFECTLY GOOD CHRISTMAS TREE NOT DECORATED, NOT SHINING WITHOUT A STAR ON TOP ON CHRISTMAS DAY!
Merry Christmas G. E. G.
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