The little boy played in the winter snow as the day neared an end. Soft flakes that looked like silver glitter in the fading sun floated aimlessly to the ground. The call came, “Supper time!” It took no time at all for the kids to run to the house, wash up, and get ready for supper. The warmth of the fire and wood cookstove drove the chill from the squirmy little bodies and the sawmillers that sat around the long dining room table.
Excitement was in the air. It resonated throughout the log cabin in the heart of the mountains. Christmas was coming! A few decorations were hung, special treats were made and set aside, and whispers seeped through the walls to fill the kids with great anticipation of gifts that would be under their Christmas tree.
As the little boy got ready for bed, something caught his eye. The dark of night was interrupted by twinkling lights. He peered out the cabin window that looked out over the kitchen sink. The moon had made its appearance. Just beyond the chicken coop was a wondrous sight. The white boughs of an evergreen hung lazily under the weight of freshly fallen snow. The ultimate Christmas tree! It seemed as if every flake reflected the colors of the prism. The lights sparkled like miniature diamonds lighting up the world of a little boy on his path to manhood.
When the little boy grew into an old man, he reminisced of his growing up years in the Montana mountains. Even then his favorite Christmas tree was white with colored lights. You see, whenever he saw the colored lights sparkling against the white tree, he was transported to a time filled with warmth and unconditional love. Maybe that childhood tree was the greatest gift of all for it continued to bring light, love, and joy for a lifetime.
