The Perfect One

The clock strikes eight o’clock in the morning. I spring out of bed, put on a sweater, jeans, and my favorite pair of boots. Exactly twelve days before the big day, my family and I all hop in the car and drive out to Ticonderoga Farms in Chantilly, Virginia. My brother, sister, and I bolt out of the car and begin searching for the perfect one. The perfect one averaging about seven and a half feet. The perfect one with about a four and a half foot diameter. The perfect one with impeccable pines that glisten on the beautiful True Fir. There is always one that spots my eye. I gather everyone around, and we examine the tree. With assistance of the friendly employee we begin to cut. Once it falls, we place it on top of our car and drive back home. 

When we arrive back home, we hop out quickly, ready for the tree to come in. My mom begins to play some of my favorite Christmas tunes. Hot cocoa is being sipped and cookies are being eaten. We start stringing lights around the tree, the diameter lessening each section of branches. Now my favorite part, putting up the ornaments, one by one we find the perfect spots. Every year I rummage through the boxes to find my favorite one. Sphere shaped, covered with blue velvet, and engraved with my name in gold stitching. I contemplate and decide where to put my finesse of a structure. When I find the perfect spot way up high, I stretch my arm to place the special ornament on. Now that all of the ornaments are on, we now have to put up the glistening star. For the past eight years I always pull up a chair, stretch my arms and get on my tiptoes, reach for the tip of the tree and place the bright luminous star at the top of the tree. I hop down, and stare with glee as I stare at the beautiful Christmas tree.

~ Sophia B.