Big Tree's

This week finds me supervising decorating a large tree. Actually, when you add up all the people involved it takes about 30+ (if not more) people all year to pull this off. You see, it's not your basic Christmas tree.

By big tree's I mean really big trees. This year's tree, a 50' blue spruce is stunning. It was cut today from a residential home owner's yard. Transported across town on a flat bed truck, and hauled inside one of our local museum's. From there it was suspended by a cable from the ceiling, the trunk hanging in a large trough. As I write, it has been fire proofed and is being lit. Hundreds of lights will adorn it.

Tomorrow we begin the task of putting hundreds of ornaments (and a flock of cardinals) on it. A crew of about 12, using two cherry pickers will work all day Tuesday and Wednesday to finish the project. I generally figure after decorating this tree, any others I do this season will be a piece of cake.

I mention this project for a couple reasons. First of all this tree is as big as the heart of the season. It is a symbol of team work, dedication, celebration. It represents magic and history. It takes a noble tree that grew silently for years and puts it on display for the city to see. For years it housed birds and squirrels and graced the environment. Now it will hold lights, ornaments and hopes for the season.

Friday night there will be a ceremony to light this tree. At a time when we need hope and symbols of good things - I trust this tree will help fill the bill. Once it was just a seedling, now it holds the seeds of a joyful holiday season.