Pursuit of the Perfect Christmas Tree

I've been buying Christmas trees in Florida now for almost 20 years and I still can't get over the fact that I can wear shorts and a t-shirt while looking for the perfect tree!  A few nights ago we took the kids out in search of the Turtle Christmas tree.  (To tell you the truth, we were so late this year, we were just looking for ANY tree.)  Now, in the movies, Christmas tree shopping is magical  It's always snowing and the family is always happy and out in a beautiful city scene or a rustic tree farm.  Our trip was a little more down to earth.  First, we were rushing around after work trying to get out the door so we would still have enough time shop, then come home, get dinner ready, eat, put up the tree, finish homework, get the kids to bed.....you get the picture.  Second, the kids are goofing off, ("I can't find my shoes" and "Owen, quit it!") so I'm getting louder and louder.  Smells like Christmas spirit, right?

So, we finally get out the door and it's about 75 degrees out.  Ah, Christmas time in Florida! We've got the windows down and the Christmas carols blasting on the radio.  First place we stop, sold out!  Second place, sold out!  GULP!  So, we try a local supermarket that I think sells trees. (I know, it sounds weird, but in Florida, everybody sells Christmas trees, including the dive bar down the street!)  Well, they had 4 trees left and with a sign that read, "All Trees $15"  Sweet!  Three of the trees were about 20 feet tall and weighed 2,349 lbs.  The fourth tree was over in a corner on the ground.  One of the kids yells, "Hey, mister?  What about that one over there?"  The tree guy picks up the tree for us and says, "Yeah, ya'll can have this one."  A tear grew in my eye and rolled down my cheek.  Or it could have been sweat, I'm not sure.  It was perfect.  The tree guy gave the tree a good thump to open up the branches and half the needles fell off.  "We'll take it!"

So, as I unloaded the tree from the roof of the car and the kids and Mila went to kibitz with a neighbor, I thought to myself, it's not about perfect Christmas weather or the perfect setting or perfectly behaved kids, it's about the pursuit.  We were all together.  We all had an adventure and now, we all have a story to tell.  I hope my kids tell their kids and they tell theirs.  

Merry Christmas Ya'll!