Fresh Tree, fresh start

The end of the year brings joy for some, sadness for some and hope for others. We would like it to be a time for cheers and smiles - but in reality it's not the same for everyone.

As November inched forward, I remember being anxious that we are at the closing stages of 2009. It's tough to think so far ahead, especially when I'm not done crossing my crossroads yet. What I did, was to take a detoured route on the road I was on, which leads me back to the junction - I'm not sure if that is a longer or shorter detour, which doesn't matter, since I have gone past the initial crossing and now have stopped briefly to think - not all the alternative roads are visible yet - but some are.

This year, if I decide to put up a christmas tree, I may choose to get a new one - or a fresh tree - something I always wanted, but never got, because it wasn't practical - the fresh tree will shed and although my cats will have a field day, it will require extra housekeeping. Perhaps a fresh tree could mean a fresh start - and the wilting tree will remind me that if the race gets tired, then we can always choose to start fresh again - next christmas, with another fresh tree. Perhaps that's how christmas trees should be - not re-used.

Never thought about it that way, but it's never too late.

I need change - change is good - and the upside of a fresh tree is, you don't have to re-pack it into the box - you just throw it away - one less box to manage.

Imagine the fragrance of fresh pine - it's like waking up on the mountainside each day.

Since I don't make resolutions, the fresh tree will be symbolic - something that will mark the change that I have made in 2009, a change to give myself more respect so that I sleep better, work better and think better.