PUTTING UP THE TREE 2007

Each year we put up a Christmas tree. It is a store bought tree that must be assembled and tweeked and pulled in order to achieve the desired look. I like that. I grew up with store bought trees. The needles stay in place, it doesn't stink up the house and my allergies do not flare up. It's a beautiful thing.

That being said, we began a tradition when we had a baby; his name was Kazz. As soon as Kazz could hold the angel that tops the tree he was allowed to finish the tree decorating, by placing the topper on the tree.

Then came Brise; so every other year they took turns placing the Angel on the tree. In 2004, Vinze put the topper on the tree, 2005 was the twins (because they could that year), 2006 was Brise and this year it's Kazz's turn again.

This is the last year he'll put the topper on the tree as a child. The next time he places it on the tree he'll be 20 years old. If he isn't married and away for the Christmas he'll be able to do it that year but something tells me he'll be elsewhere...as boys usually do when they leave home.

I accept that and that being the case, I felt a bugger of a frog in my throat when he topped the tree this year.