LOVE, Kloudiia

A Christmas tree to Kloudiia is like honey to Winnie the Pooh. Yes, show me a blinking sparkling Christmas tree and I’ll fly toward it with a fluttering heart and a big giggle. Maybe it’s the lights, maybe because it’s Christmas, my favourite holiday season, or maybe it’s just so pretty that I simply cannot resist.

So even when we were all dead tired (my sister said she’s already seeing stars after having some liquor, really some) and I was having a headache too, I still had to take a shot with this tree at St Regis.

St Regis Christmas Tree

A Christmas tree used to be just a pretty tree with shiny wrapped gifts at the bottom. It symbolises happiness and lots and lots of joy. However, one occasion made me realise the real meaning behind the tree.

Many years ago, my then American boss invited us (me and other colleagues) to his house to celebrate Christmas. When I reached there, I wasn’t expecting such a tall and gigantic tree to greet us. So when I arrived, there it was – standing tall and proud, right in the middle of the living room. The base was big enough for me to take some 5 seconds to make one round and it stretched all the way up to the 2nd storey (I think so cos I can’t remember too clearly now). I was in awe when I saw that tree, really. Not because of its size, but because of what it held.

There were lots of photos of each family member! Not just ordinary photos, but photos that held special meaning to that particular family member(s) or a particular occasion it was taken. There were notes scribbled at the bottom of each photo summarising the story behind that photo, like John’s first birthday, Samantha’s first stage performance etc. The children’s growing up phases were all captured on photographs and hung on the tree. So we could trace, say, John from age 1 till his current age. Amazing, isn’t it?

That, my friends, was a Christmas family tree. It wasn’t what we drew on a piece of paper for a class, but a real, physical and tangible tree!

So I asked my boss what if there were too many photos and the tree doesn’t have enough room anymore? He cheekily replied they’ll change for a bigger tree, or selectively replace some of the photos to make room for the new ones.

And guess what? The family had tonnes of fun decorating the tree each year as they journeyed back to old times and made fun at each other while reminiscing those sweet moments they spent together too. So nice, right? I then secretly made a wish that someday, I would have my own family tree too.

Now, a Christmas tree is no longer just a pretty tree. It represents the connection between us and our loved ones, and as my priest Father Joe puts it, it also represents our celebration with God.

Hmm… I think it’s almost time to start mine now… *giggle*

God bless all of you, readers and friends of LOVE, Kloudiia!