Here it is . . . The deep, dark secret I've been harboring for the past three months . . . My Christmas tree is still up.
Yep, you read that correctly, it's March 25, and my Christmas tree still twinkles like it did on December 25.
Let me go ahead and answer everyone's first question-- the tree is artificial. Don't worry, I don't have a dry, brittle, highly-combustible Frazier fir begging for water in my living room. I mean, obviously I have a slight aversion to cleaning, so I would never intentionally buy something that is going to make even more of a mess dropping needles everywhere. Give me some credit for knowing my limits.
The second question most people ask is a little bit more difficult to answer. Why in the world is your Christmas tree up, they ask? Well, here's the truth . . . I really have no idea. I can't remember why I didn't take it down the week after Christmas when I was still out for Christmas break. I'd love to say I was skiing in Aspen or snorkeling in Aruba, but alas, I was probably just binge watching Paw Patrol. I truly can't remember.
I think the real reason I haven't taken it down is . . . life. It happens. As a wife, a mom, a friend, a daughter, and a teacher, life happens at full speed every day of the week. Living people need me, and that tree doesn't require my daily attention. It doesn't ask me to ride scooters with it. It doesn't ask when I'm going to grade its latest test. It doesn't ask me to snuggle up and watch a movie.
Ten years ago, I would have been mortified for people to know my Christmas tree was still up. Who am I kidding, I probably felt that way 10 days ago. But then I decided to stop beating myself up about it and own it. And that's when I realized the reason the tree is still up is my people. Nobody will remember that in 2017 I left my tree up a few days past Christmas, but maybe, just maybe, my husband will remember how I cry every Wednesday night when we watch The Goldbergs together. Or maybe, just maybe, my boys will remember how their mom is the best Little Tikes basketball player EVER.
Sure, I could just be writing all of this to justify my penchant for procrastination, and maybe a little part of me is, but here's the thing-- we are only here for a short time. I don't know about you, but I want to spend my time with the people I love.
Now when I walk by the tree, I can laugh, especially since it's currently within sight of my Easter egg tree, but that's a post for another day. I know the tree will come down eventually, but hey, if it doesn't, I'll have even more time to spend with my people come December.