A Christmas tree from the Kardashians

or maybe not.

Photo by Mike Blank on Unsplash

Now, what you may ask has a Christmas tree got to do with the Kardashians, well, if you read on, I hope to explain this to you.

I am excited about this week, for I have decided to get a real tree this year.

For those of you who may have read the last post regarding last year's Christmas tree, you will know, that after years of my trusty artificial one, the top third of it gave way and left me with a unique yet very untraditional tree for December.

To some, it looked strange, and to others, it provided a giggle but, to me, it was my tree and, I was happy with it as it was, as I knew it would be the last time I would get to use it, before that sad trip to the recycling center in January.

That tree had a lot of good memories with it, and was the first tree this house has had in years, but it was time to say goodbye, not to the memories for they will never leave but to the attachment to the tree, and understanding the tree was part of creating those memories but the feeling of them was all mine, and letting go of the tree would never remove them.

So, rather than getting a new one that may last for many more years, I've decided to get a real one just for this holiday season.

Giving me a few short weeks with it, before the pines fall off, and turn a different colour, the branches get weaker and the scent is not as strong (life analogy in there somewhere)

But the excitement for Thursday is real (the most pre-Christmas tree setup statement ever)

Even more so because I purchased a wreath for the front door this week and it too was made from real pines, the scent as I enter the porch each time is like walking in a forest. Just those few moments as I walk into my house make me smile, that smell of realness, nature, and Christmas all in one.

So, the thought of having a much larger version in my living area for weeks brings that childish excitement.

And it feels good to me, so I am here for that.

Now, you are probably asking yourself what has this got to do with the Kardashians? trust me I am asking that myself, but bear with me, I happened to see a few clips (maybe more than clips) of that show, and what struck me most was whenever I saw anybody greeting one another it was with a hug, well if that's what you call it.

They would barely embrace, you would see one of the "huggers" with their eyes open and glance around the room, or to somebody else, and it would last a mere second, with zero emotion or connection at all, some would call it, dare I say it "fake"

Before I got unfollowed by all Kardashian fans, this was mainly the others in the show the, "extras" or their acquaintances in the show.

You see, I am a hugger, so maybe L. A or Hollywood would not be the place for me, but hugging someone me, creates a space of warmth, comfort, and connection, embrace another is a moment shared that we may all sometimes take for granted until we sadly cannot hug that person anymore. But that very moment to be present in that embrace can mean so much to the person receiving it, more than we realize.

It's the realness of it, the moment shared and even better it is for free.

To some money is no object we take for granted the little things we can give for free to others. Once we realize that, it becomes infectious.

You see I got a taste for realness the first time I walked onto my porch and smelt my hanging wreath and it made me want more, makes me excited for more, and more is what I intend to get, to have that feeling each day, regardless of how good or bad the day went, that is my little non-negotiable of happy moments, from me to me.

(Something I need to remember as I am tangled up in lights and baubles)

So my message to you this week, is, what realness have you gotten a taste of and want more of, or perhaps there is something not so real, that needs to be removed?

And, finally, should the opportunity arise, make that hug a little longer, hold that embrace a little tighter, and just "be" in that very moment.

As always, thanks for reading,

and kind hugs to you all.

Marcus.