Friday, December 10, 2010

Christmas Trees

There's one thing about Christmas that will always remind me of my Grandparents. Getting the tree. For years while I was growing up they had a Christmas tree farm and when Christmas would come around they would sell Christmas trees to everyone in the towns surrounding ours. People would come from miles away, bundle up and take a wagon ride to the top of the hill to find that perfect tree that would bring cheer to their homes for the holiday. The wagon ride was what everyone looked forward to. Once they would climb into the wagon they'd take their pick on a hay bale and hang on for the journey. Through the snow drifted field, over the bubbling creek, up the slick hill to the top where my Grandpa would drop them off. You all know the next part, the search for the PERFECT tree :) Once they found it they'd cut it down, with the saws provided from my Gramps, and then they'd drag it down the hill, over the walking bridge, through the field back to the house. With rosy cheeks and sparkles in their eyes they would greet and pay my Grandma or the guys working the lot.
As my sister and I got older we'd help out on the lot: greeting people, showing them the trees on the lot, taking their money, and baling their trees. I remember being down at Grams during tree season, she'd have her boots and gloves by the wood stove and as soon as someone would come along she'd be there helping them out.

Sadly however, there aren't many more trees on the hill after all these years. My Grandparents head to Florida now in early November and so we brave the field, creek and hill with our Subaru and search for the perfect tree. I know that when people drive by the hill they remember the good days of finding that perfect tree and the memories that my Grandparents helped them create.

I hold the days with my Grandma close to my heart... not only watching and helping them sell trees, but all the time she's put into teaching me how to quilt, crochet pot holders, and helping me make rugs.
Thank you, Grandma and Grandpa, for all the great memories that you have given us and so many others! <3

7 comments:

Butter said...

What a beautiful post :) This reminds me so much of my grandparents. They didn't have a tree farm, but we lived in the country and the hunt for the perfect tree is the same and embedded in my memory forever. And the quilts...oh the beautiful warm and cozy hand made quilts. What a gift is is that you know how to do this - it is such an art.

Now before I go, I must say, for a girl in the woods in the winter cutting down a tree - you look fabulous!
- Butter

Unknown said...

What precious memories. Keep and cherish them.

Helen Regenbogen said...

I love your blog. You are a very good writer and should pursue it. You should submit this one to a magazine.

Mom said...

Erin that was a beautiful post... it brought tears to my eyes. Oh the sweet memories of all the times down there with Gramma and Grandpa. Remember the times we would just be there to visit and see all the customers and do something crafty. We have been so blessed to have family so close. Love you...

Joanne said...

what a gorgeous post! I have been dying to have a tree but my silly student housing people say it's a fire hazard. Isn't that preposterous!

Erin Kiser said...

@joanne... that's crazy! I just love a fresh tree! Well hopefully you can have a fake one and burn some pine candles :)

Stacey said...

What a wonderful experience. How precious to still remember how to quilt,crochet,make hook locker rugs.