Please Come Home for Christmas (1024 hits)
Category: GeneralRating: 1.73 on 39 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by ahumblefool (View user info) at 2007-12-05 14:50:29 EST
Snow crunches beneath my worn boots as the dark forest around me absorbs the sound. I am completely alone here other than the Camp Robbers that follow, hoping for a mid-winter snack. It is the same story year after year, seeking a tree that will bring joy to my wife and child. The search is never short; I can be out amongst the trees for hours, lost in the hushed silence of winter. The bitter cold does not affect me, it is the seeking that is important, all else matters not. It was decided weeks ago, that this year we would have a Noble Fir to glorify our living space. Its sturdy branches holding the ornaments that we have been purchasing for twenty years, the twinkling glow from the lights highlighting the shadows between the boughs. Coming over a small rise and into a small grouping of pines, the tree awaits me. Kneeling on the cold soft snow, my hands part the white powder so my saw can bite into the living wood. The sap smells strongly of thoughts I leave buried deep in my mind; past Christmases, presents unwrapped, hot chocolate and late night tobogganing. The tree quivers and shakes, snow falls upon my head and arms barely noticed. The soft winter cushion allows it to fall gently upon the ground; the thump is barely heard.
Pulling into the driveway, I see that the lights are on in the living room, perhaps they are sitting watching the glow of a fire, drinking coco with marshmallows and laughing every time they jump when the fire crackles and pops. Walking into the garage the smell of musty disuse fills my lungs, an abrasive reversal from the cold winter cleanliness I was experiencing only hours ago. Picking up the handsaw, branch trimmer and tree stand, I walk back to the truck to begin the pomp and circumstance that has been my yearly ritual since Melinda and I were married twenty years before. The gentle rustle from the branches sounds like a quiet sigh as I slide the tree from the back of the truck. Once again I cut the trunk, making sure it is flat so it stands straight and proud. The branches are lightly trimmed and the snow is brushed from its heavy limbs.
Walking into the house, I call out that I am home. There is no response and something tugs at the back of my mind, but I realize that they are most likely at the neighbors watching one of the many holiday classics we have on DVD. The tree glides through the kitchen and into the living room. The usual corner is crowded, so I place the tree in the opposite corner, it is still viewable from the picture window just as Jeremy, his son likes. "You have to see the tree from the street daddy." The thought brings a smile to my face. I walk briskly to the closet to pull out the decorations hidden within boxes. Imagine the delight in their eyes if the tree was fully decorated before they arrived! The lights casting multicolored rainbows around the room, and a warm fire glowing in the hearth.
Removing the lights, I place them with reverence around the tree, making certain that no empty spaces are left. Melinda likes a tree with lights on every bough; she says it makes the tree dance. I tend to agree. I step back, and then step back in to readjust, moving strands to fill in the gaps. I unwrap each ornament slowly, making sure not to drop them, and place them gently upon the tree. A thin sheen of sweat is on my brow, but I hardly notice it as I place the special trains upon the tree my son has collected for seven years. The last item is the crystal star Melinda's mother gave us for our first Christmas together, the most expensive item we owned at the time. I slide the star onto the trimmed top of the tree and gaze at my work. It is the most wonderful tree we have ever had. The final touch would be to add presents underneath. I wonder if she will mind, but in my haste for perfection I take the decision upon myself and go to the usual hiding place. Taking the presents in bundles and placing them under the tree, I feel completed. The ritual is done.
Stepping back, I take in the entire room, the lights twinkle on and off, from blue to green to red. Red ribbons, silver bows, the lights creating there own mood. From the corner of my eye, I see the trees from the last five years adorning the left corner of the living room. The present's still sit beneath the trees brown, dead limbs. Unopened, their gaily wrapped colors a harsh contrast to the brown needles that cover them like fallen snow. Maybe this year they will come home. Maybe this year, everything will be made better. But in the silence of the home, with the gentle crackle of the fire, a part of me knows they can not come back, the accident has no tag backs as Jeremy used to say. But that part of my mind is quickly closed, and I step into the kitchen to prepare three warm cups of coco for us to enjoy when they arrive so we can sit around the tree and gaze at its beauty and wonder what is hidden in the wrapped treasures beneath.
User Reviews
Submitted by apollo88 (user info) at 2008-07-31 19:19:20 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
this was lovely.
i can't remember if i was a cunt to you in the past if so, sorry.
Submitted by sadie73 (user info) at 2007-12-06 20:25:28 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by Shlongy (user info) at 2007-12-05 19:21:54 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
Unfortunately, I've had a record 274 consecutive "rough days at the office".
___________________
Were those rough days precipitated by big wangs up your butt? Hmmmm??
Submitted by daddiesgurl01 (user info) at 2007-12-06 12:40:06 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by TonyDanza (user info) at 2007-12-06 09:23:05 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by TheDoctor (user info) at 2007-12-06 04:41:22 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
Submitted by Wildman (user info) at 2007-12-06 02:37:44 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
nice story, but tag backs broke my concentration especially since it's such an integral part of the pay-off
i would have used no returns, no exchanges?, instead of take-backs but like i said, it was still a nice story
Submitted by skrapmetal (user info) at 2007-12-05 20:46:09 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Knew there had to be some twist - it's Uber, after all. But this one did surprise me a bit. Well done.
Submitted by Shlongy (user info) at 2007-12-05 19:21:54 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
Unfortunately, I've had a record 274 consecutive "rough days at the office".
Submitted by ahumblefool (user info) at 2007-12-05 18:06:48 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Shlongy (user info) at 2007-12-05 16:48:24 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
Nothing personal...I'm on a complete -2 streak today.
Rough day at the office. I'm sure you understand.
_________________________________
Hell, that is why I have not been back in so long, should have stayed self employed.
Submitted by Lib (user info) at 2007-12-05 16:58:10 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Happy Holidays !
Submitted by Shlongy (user info) at 2007-12-05 16:48:24 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
Nothing personal...I'm on a complete -2 streak today.
Rough day at the office. I'm sure you understand.
Submitted by ahumblefool (user info) at 2007-12-05 16:23:52 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Shlongy (user info) at 2007-12-05 16:21:05 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
Man, those are some hefty paragraphs, ya got there.
__________________________________
Shlongy ye ol'humbug, lol
Submitted by Shlongy (user info) at 2007-12-05 16:21:05 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
Man, those are some hefty paragraphs, ya got there.
Submitted by ubetidid (user info) at 2007-12-05 16:07:29 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by DudeThatsBOSH (user info) at 2007-12-05 15:58:21 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
http://www.ubersite.com/m/80689#1734130
haha
Submitted by CaptainThorns (user info) at 2007-12-05 15:48:22 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
AHF!
You always please me with your skills.
Submitted by inion_de_trua (user info) at 2007-12-05 15:47:00 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
stop it.
Submitted by ahumblefool (user info) at 2007-12-05 15:41:48 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Orgasmatron (user info) at 2007-12-05 15:38:10 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
And now you're trying to take potshots and break me down because you know my original statement is true. Am I gay because I have feelings and am in touch with them?
___________________________________
Depends on whose feelings you are touching. tck tck.
Submitted by Orgasmatron (user info) at 2007-12-05 15:41:31 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Oops. Didn't see your last review.
Retract that pls.
Yes, I'd manipulate, fill and diddle your feelings.
Submitted by Orgasmatron (user info) at 2007-12-05 15:40:56 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Though maybe if you dealt with men under the age of 20 you'd know that it's quite possible to be hetero and sensitive, wouldn't you Playskool Patricia?
Submitted by Sacrilicious (user info) at 2007-12-05 15:40:21 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Ew, I didn't call you gay, I love gays. Hell, I'm a little gay. I was referring to your comment Mr Issues.
I'd let you touch my feelings.
Submitted by Orgasmatron (user info) at 2007-12-05 15:38:10 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
And now you're trying to take potshots and break me down because you know my original statement is true. Am I gay because I have feelings and am in touch with them?
Submitted by Sacrilicious (user info) at 2007-12-05 15:35:54 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
If ubercomments had a sexual orientation, that one would lead the ghey pride parade.
Submitted by Orgasmatron (user info) at 2007-12-05 15:33:51 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I don't have to dress up my feelings to prove how true they are, Sacrilicious.
Clearly you're overcompensating.
Submitted by Brdn_Nkd (user info) at 2007-12-05 15:32:59 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
A few minor problems and I saw where it was headed pretty early on but still very very good.
"creating there own mood. "
Submitted by Sacrilicious (user info) at 2007-12-05 15:32:27 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by Orgasmatron (user info) at 2007-12-05 15:20:56 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I missed you more.
===
Clearly you didn't, as demonstrated by my use of CAPSLOCK.
Submitted by ahumblefool (user info) at 2007-12-05 15:24:26 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Orgasmatron (user info) at 2007-12-05 15:20:56 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I missed you more.
_____________________________
Still my man-wife?
Submitted by Orgasmatron (user info) at 2007-12-05 15:20:56 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I missed you more.
Submitted by triangle_man (user info) at 2007-12-05 15:19:14 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
seasonal
Submitted by DudeThatsBOSH (user info) at 2007-12-05 15:10:27 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
AW
Submitted by monkeyswithguns (user info) at 2007-12-05 15:07:51 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Yozz (user info) at 2007-12-05 15:07:12 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I deducted a point for no zombies.
Submitted by Sacrilicious (user info) at 2007-12-05 15:05:26 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
We need not keep chairs waiting for them.
They're already in the room with us.
Merry Christmas, AHF.
Submitted by ahumblefool (user info) at 2007-12-05 15:04:49 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Sacrilicious (user info) at 2007-12-05 14:57:28 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I MISSED YOU.
*read*
___________________________
Missed you too.
Submitted by Darth_Famine (user info) at 2007-12-05 15:03:14 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
quite sad
Submitted by rob_berg (user info) at 2007-12-05 14:58:42 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
This needed a picture.
...but very well done, otherwise.
Submitted by TheUniter (user info) at 2007-12-05 14:58:02 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
Submitted by TheUniter (user info) at 2007-12-05 14:57:49 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Funny ending.
Submitted by Sacrilicious (user info) at 2007-12-05 14:57:28 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I MISSED YOU.
*read*