Takes a village, or at least a family, to keep a tree standing

You’ve likely heard the phrase it takes a village (the work of many) to raise a child. The other night I felt like it takes a village to keep a Christmas tree standing.
As people were leaving a family Grinch holiday party that I hosted at my house, we looked over at the Christmas tree and nearly all sang in unison, “Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree, You’re about to tip over.”
Before everybody headed out the door, I solicited their help in getting the tree in tall order of standing up straight. It’s no fun having a tipsy tree that appears to have sipped way too much spiked eggnog. It’s even worse not having hands available at one time to get things back in order.
So I hit the floor to the trunk of the tree to figure out what was the matter. When to my wondering eyes, I found the tree simply was in the stand crooked and needed some real adjustments. I cranked on the screws to loosen them up, which is never really an easy task.
Once I got things loosened up, my guests stood around the tree and lifted it up in the air. They numbered in five trying to save Christmas at the Bussler house. It clearly takes a village, well, okay maybe only an army, to keep a tree standing. I guided the trunk to a better spot in the stand and battened down the hatchets once again in hopes of keeping it straight.
After numerous attempts at lifting it and redirecting the trunk, we finally got it in a happier place. There were no real causalities as a result of the mayhem—just a few decorations that tumbled onto the carpet. But miraculously, no broken pieces!
Somehow we got things to click in a positive way. The tree hasn’t moved since our late-night caper around the tree.
I can once again enjoy my Christmas tree without the worry of it falling over and ruining the holiday spirit for my family.
I’m not the only one who loves the tree with an angel at top. I have found my cat has taken quite a liking to hanging out under the tree. Not sure if she’s waiting for Santa or what, but it’s cute to have her cuddled under the branches.
The tree is really the only issue I’ve had so far this holiday season with decorations and other seasonal activities around the house. As you heard a couple weeks ago, I saved my holiday letter from becoming extinct. So life is good.
May the joys of the season shed light, hope and fill your hearts with peace as you go in hot pursuit of enjoying the holidays.