Dad Stories No. 2: The Christmas Tree

We’re back, with another Dad Story!

Red cars/trucks with Christmas trees have become kind of an icon for my Christmas. If I see one, I have to buy it. (That’s pretty hard on my wallet, they’re common now.)

That’s because of this story. I was in first grade when it happened- it happened while I was in school, and I still remember my parents telling me this story. At the time, we had a red Ford Tracer station wagon. My dad is very animated when he tells it, it’s become a classic, no matter how short it is.

It probably seems strange that I’m attached to the icon of it, considering I wasn’t there; but it was a joke for so long after, I felt like I was part of it. Now, whenever I see the red car with the Christmas tree, I think of my family.

This one is actually written by dad- he sent it to me in an email.

Years ago, I believe it was when you were in grade school and your sister was in preschool, your mother and I decided to go cut down a Christmas tree “up north”. You were in school and remaining three of us departed Northward in the red Tracer on US-53 toward the “thumb” with saw in hands.

There was hardly a forest anywhere, but farmland there was. After crisscrossing many local roads throughout the countryside and not finding anything, it was getting late and we decided to make our return home.

It was south of Imlay City that I saw a sign on the west side of the road that said “Christmas Trees”. It was in a wooded area where some river crossed under the highway. Pulling to the right and driving down a gravel path there was an old nursery and greenhouse. I know it was late in the gardening season but it looked old and abandoned. We were the only customers there and we walked to the area where there was only a few trees showing.

Some young guy came to us and asked us if he could help. I vividly remember him having this cigarette dangling from his lips with glowing ashes falling to the ground.

Most of the trees were way too tall but at the end there was this seven footer. It was full. and let’s call it… “chubby”.

We bought that one and the guy lashed it to the car roof with rope. The chubby tree lashed to the roof made the car look twice as tall. We headed back home and after several miles I noticed something in the rear view mirror. There was a tree bouncing down the highway behind us. The rope was still above our heads and I wondered what poor soul could have lost their tree this way?

After several seconds I realized it… was ours! The knot tied to the center of the tree became undone. Good job, nursery guy!

Turning back and retrieving the tree there was no damage to chubby. I think we shook off the loose needles.

It was taken home and decorated to make a wonderful tree for Christmas.