As the holiday season continues to roll along, Daddy's customs almost got the best of him today. Since Mommy and Daddy have been a family, they have always put up trees for Christmas. The only problem is that Daddy always waited really late to do so. Last year he waited so late that they decided to do without a tree.
Now this year Daddy could not pull that stunt. He did wait a long time but there would not come a point where he decided not to put one up. This year C.J. is here and a tree must be put up. Now Daddy knows that the tree is not what Christmas is about. He is a preacher, he should know. Also C.J. will know from the beginning that Santa is a commercial advertiser, and that we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. With that being proclaimed, as a child nothing was better than on Christmas morning Daddy leading his troops down the stairs and swinging around the pole to see what was left under the tree for them. Daddy's grandparents would come in the wee hours of the morning to put the gifts under the tree. (I found that out sooner or later) Man we would rip the wrapping off and throw it everywhere. We would over look gifts, forget gifts, find our favorite and leave the rest and take gifts from each other just to be mean, lol. I want C.J. to have that same opportnity so I had to put up a tree.
So we needed lights, and with 4 days to go, they were scarce. However this daddy was determined to find some lights to put on the tree. Not only would the tree look better with them, C.J. would be stimulated when they were on. So he drove here and there looking for lights. He called Mommy to ask her to call around but no one had lights. He was getting discouraged but kept trucking. Mommy called him and told him to give it up and to come home. Daddy paid her no mind and continued to search for lights to put on C.J.'s tree. The journey had become personal...he did not care if the roads were icy, the night grew dark or the cold became bitter. Daddy had made up in his mind that he was going home with some lights no matter where he had to go.
Then finally (In his Rock from wrestling voice) Daddy pulled up to Shop Rite. He walked in the first of what would have been three stops at this shopping center. After already looking in 15 or more stores this weekend he saw them. They were not the single strand white flickering lights that he prefers, but they were lights. Actually a net that drapes right over the tree but lights nonetheless. Daddy had done, C.J. has lights on her tree, and Daddy is satisfied and can enjoy looking at the tree with C.J. as when it is lit. The tree will probably be the ugliest one she ever sees but Daddy will always remember the Sunday evening he spent on the road for those lights all so C.J. gets the experience he wants her to have.
All in a day's work for Daddy! So as we end this weekend and look forward to the week ahead let us remember sometimes it is the simple things that matter and that a daddy should be willing to search all four corners of the earth if it means his Princess' happiness. As I go, you all remember to pray because prayer changes things.
Note to C.J.: Next year daddy will put up the Christmas tree on the first Sunday evening of December. We will start a new tradition for the Johnson's of Old Bridge. We will have snacks, music and decorate stockings too. Daddy has already put it in his planner and on his calendars. Love you baby!
