The Last Christmas Tree

Yesterday our family did what we've done every year since before I was born: we went tree hunting. About 3 miles from our house there is a small tree farm selling all sorts of Christmas trees. We always seem to get a balsam fir tree, which is a short needle tree with strong branches perfectly suited to hold ornaments. While we were wandering the ranks of trees at the farm, I suddenly realized that this was probably the last time I would ever cut down a Christmas tree with my family. Instead of making me sad I felt happy, which really surprised me. I thought back to the years we would have to wade through thigh deep snow to get to the trees, and the years there was no snow at all. I remembered the year we had to buy our tree from a sketchy-looking man in a parking lot on December 23rd. Looking back on those memories made me feel happy to have spent such great times with my family.