The Recovery Tree

[Tommyh]

I sit here and admire the Christmas tree. A tree that reflects 29 years of our family..Some of the ornaments are "hand-me" downs from family members long past. It’s the "special decorations that I look for. Tiny little hands that made this one, for mom and dad. Not something I would buy, but one worth any price; from kids’s of Christmases past.

They are all in my heart. The lights shine bright as they "race" in their programmed sequence. I remember when they just shone so bright…all through the night…and who could ever for get the bubble lights… But time moves on … the tinsel laid with such care …except way in the back where "who sees there anyhow" . The garland of colors, to enhance but not to overpower…the tree grows fuller year-by-year, with ornaments and memories.

And the gifts so many… The kids swear they never saw the numbers like that abound…to hear them tell it there was but one gift as children they had to share…could it be that gift was Love?
This year has been special…So many gifts…So many Thank-you’s on the labels…The tree is so fine…so much joy in the heart and in the mind…

But in another corner of my mind I see the glimmer of another tree. Not quite so pretty…but so dear you see. It’s my own special Recovery Tree. A tree of which I would like to say that grows each year…but the truth be told, there were some years which it diminished in size and a couple years it almost went away altogether. Now the tinsel is somewhat different…for it came from the "less than "store…to remind me of what once was…The ornaments are strange too...For the reflections tend to be distorted…I have to look very deeply to see who’s there…you and me…and who’s that there? Someone from the past…or deep from a glass…Each one has to be looked at to fully appreciate - the mysteries held inside…My tree is bigger than the year of last, for takes twelve steps to circle it round…then …you can start again… Though the ornaments seem dim and tarnished…each one tells a story…a story of recovery and what it takes to make this for me…just for today.

But what makes this tree so special are the Gifts …so many…wrapped in gold and silver…of ribbons of such colors…and within in them are Hope…Faith…Love …Forgiveness …Fellowship…oh so many…and Serenity…that’s special…But wait there are no Labels!!!…Who’s to get what and how many??? I’ve been told and I know it’s true…these gifts are to be given...to be gotten…for as we give, we receive…now isn’t that a strange lot…But then the recovery tree is indeed…uncommon …

So this year …as years gone by in the past…I have two trees…both in my heart…so on Christmas morn. Join me in gathering round the trees…so warm… may even find a cup of hot cocoa or ice tea…depends on the weather…and we can welcome that special day…as we unwrap our presents…. and give presents toothers,together. May you have Love and Peace that passes this ones understanding….

would you like to take a second and share a few of your recovery presents?