The christmas tree

This is not about nursing or patient care but thought being the season of giving. I share this story that was sent to me for a chuckle because somedays we just need it.

The christmas tree

This past weekend we went to do one of our Christmas traditions of getting a Christmas tree. We always go to one of those cut your own places. It didn't start off too well, my 12 year old let us know that she'd rather be with her friends. This was very sad to me because she's always looked forward to this and now we had reached the realm of so boring and uncool that we probably are just too embarrassing to be seen with.
This sent the husband into a bad mood, me into a sad mood, my daughter into a pouty mood. Ahh.. tis the season of merriment.
So we get to the Christmas tree place... it's was a new one this year. They had a ton of trees... you take a stick, find a tree, put the stick in the tree, let them know where it is, they take a cart, cut it while you wait in the heated garage with hot cider and cookies. SWEET! Anyway, so we start looking. Everyone's mood lifts. My husband is a tree freak... he likes them BIG (I'm ever so thankful for his like of bigger things, the tree, the dog, me ) He gets this little kid grin and it's hard not to feel happy too. We find one that everyone likes, but decide to keep looking. As we trudge through the snow we come upon a line of huge FAT trees. I tell him "NO WAY" "TOO BIG" You see, we have a very small living room, that is already taking up with an over sized couch, a big screen tv, and a Great Dane. I said "PLEASE, I don't want to spend the next month walking sideways to get in and out" He's grinning and finally I just give in. The tree people call it "big Bertha" Yes... the TREE PEOPLE thought it was huge... this thing belongs outside, not in someones house! We go get our cider and cookies, they cut it and then help tie it on top of the Suburban.
My husband is so happy he's just giddy, my daughter is in a good mood, everything is right with the world again.
We get home and it's time to get the tree off the suburban. I'm short, I'm 5'4". I can't reach up there. The husband says, no problem, he'll just kinda pull it off. Well let me tell you ladies that he should have pushed. I'm standing to the side, my husband reaches up and pulls this big Bertha toward him, he then sorta cradles it in his arms... then in a slow motion OMG moment it sorta bobbles and he sorta loses his hold and SMASH! Big Bertha's trunk goes right through the side window of the suburban. Silence.
OMG, I'm staring, my husband's joy is now just devastation. (We've had an incredible stressful, bad luck year) Sigh.
On to the next day... arrangements are made for the window and the husband wants to bring the tree in the house. It's wrapped and tied... it still barely fit through the door. We shoved and pushed and pulled and finally big bertha made er in. We got it up in the tree stand and then my husband got some scissors to cut the rope off. The first one he cut flew across the room... I hide in the dining room. There is so much pressure for this tree to explode out of it's restraints... tie 2 goes flying... tie 3 the same... then the tree is free. We both start laughing... I had tears running down my face. The husband says,"it's a little bigger than I thought." This tree is a massive massive thing. You really can't believe it unless you'd see it. Now in my tiny living room with a big bertha... a great dane running into the tree, a big screen tv and an over sized couch, half way into the dining room... and people, this is not an open concept house... it's actually angled through the doorway. To come in you actually have to walk sideways in both doorways now.
My parents came over and stood in shock and then started laughing. At least the tree brings some shocked happiness. So if anyone is in Wisconsin and wants to come see our Big Bertha, come on over.. just be ready to walk sideways.
Merry Christmas