I jumped out of my car, anxious to be back after the car ride from Cincinnati. It was Thanksgiving weekend and I had just spent time at home with my family and my girlfriend's family. It was a wonderful time but, in true American tradition, the Thanksgiving holiday had already passed from my mind. A new fever had taken hold: the artificial tree in the back of the car.
Forgoing my book bag and most of my luggage, I grabbed the box from the car and jogged as quickly as I could to the door. I threw it open, calling for Leah as I stumped up the stairs with the tree.
I gave Leah a kiss hello and dropped the tree in our small living room. Scoops, our mischievous young cat, rolled over on his back and meowed at me to say hi. I ruffled his belly as I sat down next to the box and excitedly ripped it open.
I have always loved Christmastime, have always loved being a part of the annual ritual of putting decorations up with the family. This year, my first year living with Leah, was going to be the most exciting Christmas yet. The tow of us and Scoops in our cold little apartment in small-town Ohio were sharing our first holiday season together.
I pulled the tree out of the box, set up the stand, and promptly proceeded to put the top of the tree in first. Leah helped me fix it, and together we began to assemble our fake foliage into a beautiful tree. We had a third set of hands--or rather, paws--helping us out as well. The tree was not even halfway up before Scoops had crawled into it and was sitting in the branches, batting at our hands as we went to fluff out the tree. The strands of lights were of great interest to him as well; he chased after them as we tried to plug them in. And the ornaments? Well, some of them are still hanging but the majority have been taken down and made into cat toys. I don't go a day without seeing a cloth mitten or plush snowman ornament on the floor, showing signs of having been bitten and dragged around by little cat teeth. The star on the tree has been knocked over and is hanging limply, still lit, on top of the tree. The other decorations we have put up have been turned into objects of amusement, too: I am convinced that Scoops' mission is to spread Christmas cheer to every corner of the apartment by putting items in every room.
I think I'll buy him a sweater or something. And in the meantime, I'll enjoy the glow of the lights as I watch Glee or play video games next to my girl. This season is something that has always meant a lot to me, and I'm so glad we get to share it together. Ornaments or no ornaments.
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