THE TREE OF
MEMORIES
Written by Lynne Coulson
The boys fetched home the
Christmas tree
today; it now stands
straight and tall
In the main room of our house, a symbol to us all.
It bears the name Ponderosa, the name we called our ranch.
And on this tree, we hang a piece of history, on each branch.
There are trinkets brought from
They help Adam remember the mother that, sadly, he never knew.
And there are some that came from
the family of my wife.
To let Hoss know of his heritage, and of the woman who gave him
life.
Then there are those from Marie, from
They are delicate, like her, an elf, and a girl dressed for a dance.
Even when Joe was little, he treated them with love and with care.
For he knew how much his mother loved them, and was glad she let
him
share.
We also have some ornaments, which my sons made, when they were
boys.
Little scraps of wool and cloth, fashioned to resemble toys.
Animals childishly carved from wood, bits of cardboard, glass and
more.
Are worth so much more to me, than any we bought from a store.
They trace the lives of my family and all the miles we've been.
Just by looking at them, brings back memories, of some of the
places
we've seen.
Of my boys and of their childhood, a time when they were so small
And not the grown men, who
stand here,
before me, so strong now and
so tall.
And yet, no matter how old they get, they will always be my boys.
Although the gifts I get for them now, are no longer children's
toys.
But the best gifts we bring to each other,
are not
found under the
tree.
They are the gifts of love, respect and support, the strength of a
family.
And as we prepare to celebrate, on this blessed
Christmas
Day.
We remember the mothers who bore them, and have now all passed away.
We think of them with love and smiles and I thank them, one by one
For loving me and for giving
me, the most
precious gift of a son.
And I hope that all of you will enjoy a day, as good as the one
I've
planned.
Where family, friends and neighbours,
can sit
down together and join
hands.
As we thank the Lord for giving us His son, and for the gifts and
for
the food,
And we really count our blessings and realise
that life is very good.
Merry Christmas to you all
And my best wishes for a
peaceful and
prosperous New Year
From Ben Cartwright – Ponderosa Ranch 1861
Christmas 2004