Christmas Tree Larry's

Once the Thanksgiving turkey had been consumed, and we said goodbye to our families it almost seemed like we switch gears into Christmas mode all in the same weekend. The fall decor comes down and is replaced by nativity scenes, sleigh bells, and wreaths. The kick off to our Christmas season always began with our annual trip to Christmas Tree Larry's. Mom would bundle my brother and I up and we would pile up into my dad's copper colored Nissan pickup truck. My dad would put in a cassette that came to be known as the soundtrack to every childhood Christmas I had. Kenny and Dolly's "Christmas to Remember" album would set the mood as my brother and I eagerly awaited to pick out that most special tree that would grace our living room that Christmas.

Christmas Tree Larry's was a beautiful tree farm with hills, Forest, and a good size lake. We would grab our saw and set off to hundreds of trees looking for the best one in the bunch. We would spend hours it seemed looking at the heights, shapes, and texture of each tree. We would shake them to see how many needles fell from it, check the truck to see if it were sturdy enough, and of course, although he was trying to hide it, my dad was eye balling price tags. Once we found the tree we desired it was time to cut it down. Now the razor sharp saw was always intimidating to use, but my dad always let me have the first go at it. After I made several markings on the trunk he took over and cut it down with ease. My dad, brother, and I would all do our part in carrying the tree back to the checkout station while mom followed behind laughing at how silly we all looked. Once we got to the checkout station the workers would string the tree through a net while Mr. Larry himself entertained my brother and I with his Christmas Tree Larry coloring books.

After unloading the tree and transferring Kenny and Dolly to the home stereo we mounted the tree in the corner and began decorating. We would spend all afternoon decorating the tree and house, replaying the music over and over again until we had transformed our little home into a Christmas paradise.

Christmas Tree Larry's was a magical place for my family and many other families in the Millington area. The memories Mr. Larry gave us and the fact that he took the time to give my brother and I a special gift was a testament to his character. Later, my senior year, I had Mr. Larry's wife as my English teacher. It was nice to hear her stories of the families Mr. Larry touched with their little tree farm. Mr. Larry has since passed but the Christmas memories he's left behind, and in the hearts of so many people will live on forever.

Years later, after Shannon and I had been married, Shannon gave me gift that literally brought tears to my eyes. I peeled open the wrapping paper and there sat in my hand was a CD of Kenny and Dolly's "Christmas to Remember".

-Steve Childress