My dad should be home from work here soon. I always
meet him at the door.
He likes it when I give him high fives, puppy kisses,
and more!
I just heard a car door slam. I think it could be him!
I hope he brought me a pig ear, or a pack of puppy
Slim Jims.
The door is opening slowly, he yells, “Everybody
outside!”
What? No pig ear or puppy treats? But a much bigger
surprise.
There’s a tree tied on the roof of my daddy’s SUV.
That thing is huge, I hope it doesn’t come tumbling
down on me!
This is the day we decorate the tree. I remember from
last year.
We played music, mom cooked a roast, and there was
lots of Christmas cheer.
Dad and my brothers had a time getting it in the door.
By the time they stood it up, it was almost six feet
four!
My sister was bringing up boxes from the basement down
below,
With lots of sparkling tinsel and candles we can show.
Then dad took his finger and pointed straight at me.
He said your job from this moment on is keeping the
cat out of this tree!
I took that job serious, but he was sneaky as can be.
One night he was drinking my water and eating my jerky
treats!
I hear Mom in there cooking, gosh, it smells so good.
The house is very warm with the fireplace full of
wood!
Everyone is decorating. It's over halfway through.
Mr. Fluffkins stay out of that tree, I have a job to
do!
We have awesome decorations for everyone to see.
Balls and bells and ribbons and one with a picture of
me!
Dad said “now for the best part…” it's in the trunk of
Moms car.
He ran outside and came back in with a beautiful
shining star!
Then dad said, “Who should put it on top?” I was
hoping they would say me.
Then everyone said, “let’s let mom put it on top of
the tree!”
She stood on a chair and did it. Finally, it was done.
That six foot four Fraser fir was the center of our
fun.
Magnificent in all its glory, that tree was really the
best.
Something to show off to family, friends, and guests.
Then a thought came to my mind, I thought about last
year.
About when Christmas was over, beginning a new year.
Last year’s tree was beautiful, but when it stopped
being fun,
After everyone received their gifts and all the
unwrapping was done.
We stripped off all the pretty things, that tree of
over 6 feet.
Roughly drug it down the driveway and tossed it beside
the street.
Then I thought of people treated the same way.
Once their glitter and worth were gone, they just get
thrown away.
Think of someone in your life you've not heard from in
a while.
Send a card, make a call. Go that extra mile.
Inside, that person is still as beautiful as when they
were in their prime.
Go tell them that you love them, while you still have
time!
Merry Christmas!
(Jerry Wayne Baldwin;
from “This K-9 of Mine”)
*****
The book “This K-9 of
Mine: Poetic short stories from a dog's point of view, plus a few from the
owner's vantage point, too.” is available as Kindle version here.
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