It’s not the tree but the memories that matter

By Randy Capps

I like to bring you all behind the curtain every now and then to give you a taste of just how glamorous the life of a magazine publisher is. Or should I say isn’t.

Writing a Christmas-themed column in the middle of November is hard enough in a normal year. Doing so in the midst of the most bizarre year I’ve ever seen is like trying to fold a fitted sheet — possible, but not fun.

But the show must go on, and my deadlines are still the same as they’ve always been. So, here goes.

We’ve had our tree up since Labor Day. It’s a rickety artificial tree that leans slightly to the left. The lights aren’t quite right, and the star on top is just a hair off center. It spins, thanks to a motorized stand, and if you can get it to turn clockwise, it will do so quietly.

But, five feet away from my recliner, it gives me a constant reminder of where I’ve been. There are ornaments from our first Christmas together at a little condo in Shelby. There are tons of handmade items from Ethan and some of our adopted nieces and nephews. It’s more than 20 years worth of memories, all on our wobbly tree.

You can look at 2020 and remember what it has taken from us. You can recall the stress, the uncertainty and the loneliness.

Or, you can squint your eyes a little, watch the tree spin and think about the things that are still right and good in the world.

That’s what I do, anyway.

I really hope you can find pieces of joy this holiday season. Thank you for reading, and Merry Christmas!