If you were Jewish you wouldn't have that problem. LOL!

Enjoy your tree Leroy and Laurie!

Hugs,

Lori

Sent by Lori | 7:53 AM ET | 12-12-2007

There's a lot to be said for the hope that springs eternal from nostalgia and euphoric recall.

May the wide-eyed, subtle-voiced choir of peace coax a melody that is attuned to your heart and the hearts of all responding to Leroy's blog this holiday season.

Sent by Leonard from Alabama | 8:01 AM ET | 12-12-2007

Good Morning Leory, I completely understand about the tree. I grew up very very poor. One year, there was absolutely no money for a tree, not even a bush. I was 14 and had promised my youngest sister a tree. I took a little axe and cut down some awful looking tree from some place near the rail road tracks. It took me about an hour to drag that goofy tree back but well worth it. When we were finished decorating, it was wonderful. Your little tree will be beautiful!!!!

Sent by sarah | 8:16 AM ET | 12-12-2007

We call ours a Channukah bush and have great fun with decorations nearly in pieces from age. Love the stuff that my now adult children made eons ago!

Have a good day and enjoy that special "bush".

Peggy

Sent by Peggy | 8:23 AM ET | 12-12-2007

I'm glad you're getting caught up in the wonder of Christmas. I'm making cookbooks for my children and having a real good time making them. Going through old family recipes and photos has brought back many happy memories. I've had a small tree for a couple of years now. It's very different from our trees past. I don't bother taking down the old ornaments, the tree is decorated with birds, butterflies, berries, and little angels, lots of glitter. I love it. Leroy, Keep walking towards your joy. Peace Becca

Sent by Rebecca Hawkins | 8:24 AM ET | 12-12-2007

Hi Leroy,

I don't do a real tree, did that one year, and it was a major mess, vowed never ever again. This year after putting the tree up for 2 weeks (yes really), I now know why people go to prelit ones. I have decided to display all my favorite ornaments and everyone is special, I need two smaller trees in two separate areas. Of course, my condo doesn't allow for that right now, however maybe my future home will.

You do what you can.... decorate a lot, some, or none. Modifications are needed at times.

Sent by Sue Chap | 8:34 AM ET | 12-12-2007

And here I thought we were the only family with the Christmas Eve appearing tree! No tree is this house anymore but we do enjoy the annual updates with our holiday card group of folks.

One thing I experienced while in the Peace Corps was Christmas in East Africa. So my son and I carry on that tradition - visiting friends on Christmas Eve just to say hi. No gifts were exchanged although you could say that the true gift was our presence and remembering others.

This holiday season we all celebrate this wonderful group of virtual friends.

Stay warm and keep making progress.

Our best to Leroy, Laurie, and all the visitors to this blog.

Sent by Marie | 8:44 AM ET | 12-12-2007

Really nice, nostalgic thoughts today Leroy. As a child, my parents also would wait till the Christmas Eve to buy, erect,@ decorate the tree. We had large ones also. Usually wound up with my Mom cutting the top off so it would fit in the living room. I say my Mom because by that time on Christmas Eve, Dad was usually drunk from office parties in NYC and Mom was left to do it on her own.
Through the years, I have always liked the idea of Christmas coming alive on Christmas Eve! Now, it begins too early and we are all "Christmased" out by the 25th. We had many Jewish friends, living & working in NYC as we did. I can't remember any hard feelings over different religions & customs in those days. Oh yes, we joked, called each other names, but loved and respected each other all the while, visiting each others homes. Why have things gotten so polorized & mean-spirited today?
Here, with your Blog Leroy, Cancer has become the great equalizer hasn't it? That is wonderful because we shall celebrate the Holidays together this year with a kindred spirit and understanding & love for each other.

Sent by J C R | 9:05 AM ET | 12-12-2007

Leroy,
We have a nice prelight artificial tree stilled boxed up, but this year my husband is threatening to put up a real one. That was his family tradition. I'm going to visit my mother tomorrow for 7 days (weather permitting in northern IL). She is currently in health care center with newly diagnosed lung cancer. I am the lone star child out so my 4 siblings said I can decorate mom's house for her. My pleasure. I'll just pop in some music & think positive healing thoughts. Mostly I'll be sitting by her side to visit & comfort. Plus share your blog too. Bet a fresh tree will be put up while I'm up north. And that's makes me smile. Merry Christmas to all.

Sent by Marge from Texas | 9:14 AM ET | 12-12-2007

Merry Christmas and best wishes for improving health in the new year.

Sent by MT | 9:41 AM ET | 12-12-2007

Good Morning Leroy,
It sounds like you are getting into the Christmas spirit. That is a good thing. Enjoy doing what you can do and look forward to next year when you can get that 10ft. Christmas tree. Enjoy your decorations. Best Wishes to you and Lori.

Sent by Teresa in WV | 9:42 AM ET | 12-12-2007

As Charlie Brown has shown us, little trees need love too and their effect on us is just as powerful as the effect of a bigger tree. Enjoy your tree!

Sent by townie | 9:50 AM ET | 12-12-2007

Leroy and all...
Keep that Christmas spirit alive....I love Christmas, but with the passing of my fiance' on the 1st, I will be happy to just spend the time with my family in California. I put our little tree up that we bought last year just the other day, but I just cant decorate it....
Every year, I give loved ones a signed ornament from me. This year, while Neil was in the hospital, I gave him an Angel I bought and asked him to sign it for me. He wrote, "maybe once in our lives we meet someone you never want to leave" and then he wrote "HI". I was that someone and I know now he will never leave me. I will display it daily on the mantel for everyone to see and my Christmas will be each and everyday filled with the memories of the love we shared.
Today I will fill my day with buying and wrapping a few gifts to loved ones.
Keep fighting Leroy....

Sent by Laurie Hirth | 9:53 AM ET | 12-12-2007

I put up my little Florida palm Christmas tree and am trying to get the energy to put up the rest of my decorations. If I can't get it done today then tomorrow when my sister comes we will have memories to make. So our traditions change and adadpt to what we can do now - it makes it even more special. Enjoy your little tree and make new memories and traditions:)AND as you said "let hope and wonder abound". JOY TO EVERYONE.

Sent by Vicki (FL) | 10:09 AM ET | 12-12-2007

Wonder and hope to all! These are precious gifts from our hearts put there by some devine spirit. I am grateful for these gifts which cannot be taken away.
Peace to you, Leroy and your loved ones, and all who belong to this community.
Deborah from Asheville

Sent by Deborah of Asheville, NC | 10:11 AM ET | 12-12-2007

Leroy, The season always brings thoughts of home , family, and friends, but for us it brings so much more, and it's not all good. We think, as last year, will this be the last Holiday Season. It is truly one day at a time, I have always loved to plan the next project, seems I don't do that so much now. The season brings great joy and hope that we will all be here again next season. It isn't a "Charlie Brown Tree" is it??? Stan

Sent by Stan Wozniak | 10:22 AM ET | 12-12-2007

Dear Leroy,

Merry Christmas to you and Laurie. Next year I'm sure you will get that ten foot tree! Be well dear friend.

Sent by sasha | 10:23 AM ET | 12-12-2007

I also grew up in a family that waited until Christmas Eve to erect the Christmas tree. Dad would put it up and when we kids went to bed it was still green and bare, like it looked in the forest. In the morning we would come downstairs to see that Santa somehow had time to stop and leave presents, eat cookies and drink milk, but also decorate our tree with lights, ornaments, and lots of silvery tinsel. Truly an amazing sight. When I became a parent, I chose not to continue the "Santa decorating the tree" tradition, not surprisingly, but wish I could roll back the clock and witness just once, with adult eyes, my own parents creating this Christmas magic in the middle of the night.
I hope your Christmas is full of beauty and peace.

Sent by Gail | 10:51 AM ET | 12-12-2007

Good morning, Leroy and all. Last Thanksgiving and Christmas are still a blur to me. We had Boston Market for Thanksgiving and I don't remember Christmas or Easter at all. But, we have a first grandchild to share the holidays this year and I want to remember them clearly...and yes, our tree is smaller, our meals simpler, and decorations less extravagant but I am here with my family and friends and that's what's important. It's good to hear from you and your Christmas tree memory.

Sent by glenda | 10:53 AM ET | 12-12-2007

you can get a big tree next year, when you're at 100%. keep healing big fella!

Sent by bill blake | 11:06 AM ET | 12-12-2007

Thanks for another vivid, wonderful post. I started imagining if I switched to a much smaller tree one year, how I could possibly decide what ornaments would stay in the box and which ones would go on the tree? Like pictures, they all come with memories.

I have some with pictures of my sister and I with our mom and dad (who are now long divorced) and of my sister and her first husband, and even an ornament that doubled as a marriage proposal from an old love. I can't hang them - and I don't want to throw them away. Every year I take them out, look at them, remember the good and the bad, and then gently wrap them back up again. It's a bittersweet annual reminder that helps me to appreciate the love and the people and the good times in my life right now.

Your blog does that for me too on a daily basis. It's like a little gift I look forward to (or dread) opening each morning, depending on how you're doing.

Here's to your little Christmas tree! I hope it gives you and Laurie much joy and peace to help with the healing.

Sent by Nichole in FL | 11:06 AM ET | 12-12-2007

Leroy - I just wanted you to know that I have been inspired by your writings every day. My husband was diagnosed with Stage IV Colon cancer in Feb. 2003. After ten surgeries, he is having another Pet/Cat scan this coming Monday. The cancer has spread to the transverse part of the colon and his upper right lung. We just decorated our Christmas tree and I agree with you that it is a wonderful symbol of hope for the future and also a reminder of happy Christmas times past. Please enjoy yours and all the best to you and your family this holiday season.

Sent by Joan Beth Smith | 11:07 AM ET | 12-12-2007

I bet it will be a wonderful tree after the love goes into it. Be well Leroy

Sent by Dee | 11:50 AM ET | 12-12-2007

Leroy, I've read all the posts in response to your post today. Now I'm sitting here bawling like a baby. Ha! Reading of all the memories people have and their traditions, that in itself gave me even more reason to hope. With out "Bubs" (new grandson), I'm already thinking of the traditions I want to pass on to him for his memories. Ok, he's only 2 months old now, ha, but no time is too soon to "HOPE". I hope people keep posting their Christmas memories and traditions on here. Heck, perhaps you'll end up writing a book and being on Oprah with a best seller! This year we gave our larger artificial tree to my son and his wife. Last year I put up a smaller table top one. I put the ornaments my mother had made the year she'd gotten sick. Here's a good hint for your readers. The ornaments are of styrofoam balls with sequins and beeds on them, very delicate. I didn't have a special type of protective box to put them in so I take aluminum foil and wrap them in that (each one separately). Then I crunch the foil up around the ornament. They then can be packed away and they don't touch each other or get crunched. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OF YOU.

Sent by Linda Sublett-Warner | 11:57 AM ET | 12-12-2007

Leroy, Glad you've still got the Christmas spirit, but I would add, don't comprise, don't give in, get the BIG tree and have friends and neighbors drop by and help - I'm sure they would love to do so. Sharing is part of the Christmas spirit. Speaking of spirits make sure you have plenty of "nog" for those helpers. Best Wishes for the Holiday Season

Sent by Henry W. Plag | 12:32 PM ET | 12-12-2007

Cancer does change things. We always have had a real tree. I insisted even though my husband hated it. Three Christmas ago, right after I was diagnosed my husband said, "I'm going to buy an artifical tree." It was so hard. Part of me wanted to say, "wait until I die." Finally, the practical side of me thought that he had to be able to do this without me for our kids and I needed to make the adjustment.

This year when we got out the decorations I threw lots away. I know it needs to be simple for him to continue and for him not to feel the pressure of, "she always did this so I need to." So if he puts up the tree and puts the Irish folk on the mantle that will be enough.

Christmas is hard because this will be the third Christmas that I have to wonder, is this the last? However, surely that is getting old to folks. I know many of you suffer with similar situations but we go on and make the best of it. Peace,

Sent by Dona | 12:45 PM ET | 12-12-2007

Leroy,

Your post today was one hell of a Christmas message. Thanks for reminding all of us about hope and wonder!

Sent by Diana Kitch | 12:46 PM ET | 12-12-2007

My kids were watching "Charlie Browns Christmas" the other night. It's the one where Charlie Brown is sent to get the tree and he brings back that little tree with just a few beat up branches on it.

It's funny that this little cartoon can convey such a powerful message for those who are open to it.

It's not about the tree at all. It's about everything that it stands for.

A very Merry Christmas to you all.

Bill

Sent by Bill Younger | 12:50 PM ET | 12-12-2007

I bought a two-foot tall live tree this year and asked the nursery to decorate it with a string of lights, pinecones and handful of colored balls. We have not had a cut tree for several years in part because we have had the opportunity to travel during the holiday season and in part due to environmental concerns, but no travel this holiday due to Stage IV cancer and treatment. I have bought small live trees for several years for my mother and my aunt because they are not able to carry or decorate larger trees. My mother routinely plants the trees after Christmas and now enjoys her own growing mini-forest. Good for her and for the environment. I hope to do the same. Thank you Leroy for being here every day.

Sent by paul smith | 12:54 PM ET | 12-12-2007

Okay, you've just convinced me! I was going to be a complete Scrooge this year, skipping most of our traditions,supposedly to reduce stress. But I think we need that "symbol of hope and wonder" at our house, too! (Maybe a small one like yours...) Thanks for a much-needed reminder not to let all the commercialism turn me into a crotchety old lady.

Sent by Doris | 12:57 PM ET | 12-12-2007

Dear dear Leroy,

*You* are a symbol of hope and wonder.

With admiration, gratitude and affection,
Karen

Sent by Karen | 1:07 PM ET | 12-12-2007

My dad also thought you should wait until Christmas eve to buy your tree, hoping to get a good deal on the tree. I don't know where your dad found a cheap tree, Leroy, they were no cheaper around here in DC! We had straggly little trees until the family convinced him we could buy it a little earlier. We always put the tree up on Christmas eve, as a family, and ate oyster stew. Yum.

Sent by Dianne (DC) | 2:17 PM ET | 12-12-2007

Laurie Hirth - Your comment made me cry - It was so beautiful. You fiance is certainly with you. And now, through your story, he is with all of us, as well. God bless.

Sent by Tara | 2:36 PM ET | 12-12-2007

Dear Leroy, thanks for the reminder of what the chistmas tree means. i lost my wife 8-3-07 stage 4 breast cancer,She loved christmas and decorating the tree, i have been to depressed and distraught to bother doing it so far this winter but after reading your message i think i will get one, just a small one to honor my wife Bella, and hope she is looking down on it with her familiar beautiful smile. Keep trying Leroy, lots of us are pulling for you and praying also.When i light a candle for Bella ton ite i will also include a prayer for your recovery. Good Bless you and your family this Christmas. kenny williams

Sent by kenny williams | 2:37 PM ET | 12-12-2007

Leroy - You are inspiring me so much, filling me with true Christmas spirit. For the past three years I have really dreaded Christmas - since my sister's death, Christmas felt more mournful than joyous. Your recent posting about taking a drive to enjoy the lights had a profound effect on my outlook of the holiday season, as does this entry. You reminded me that no human has any way of truly knowing what tomorrow will bring and that the time to enjoy what we DO have is now. You're the best. I hope you are feeling happy and comfortable today and I hope you will get to watch the classic Charlie Brown Christmas this year - it will help you love that Christmas "bush" even more! much love to you and laurie this christmas season

Sent by liz | 3:13 PM ET | 12-12-2007

I love being in the area of Maine where we are now because there are only two places within sixty miles to buy a tree. We tried to drive down to the first and closest place Sunday and it was way too icy to take the risk. So we came home and did what we've done other years: chopped one down in our own woods. Inside it looked really "Charlie Brown" though I like that look myself.......so we cut another small one to tie up with it, and together they make a complete tree !

I love hearing what others are doing for Christmas trees and what you did Leroy!

Nancy O

Sent by Nancy Oliveri | 3:51 PM ET | 12-12-2007

Hi U Lift the heaviest tree u can...Cancer survior as well...Personal Trainer in So Fla...So enjoy reading your thoughts...Dont let anyone tell you what you cant do...You can do it all my friend K

Sent by Kimberly | 7:24 PM ET | 12-12-2007

Leroy: Late reading this, but perhaps your tree means we can do one, too. I wasn't going to decorate this year, but maybe our usual Pre-lite tree would be a help to the depression.

Thanks for staying in there.

Nikki

Sent by Nikki | 10:20 AM ET | 12-13-2007

Innumerable people who suffer from prostate cancer pass through a traumatic condition. About ten percent of the patients lose their lives suffering from this disease. However, like many other diseases, prostate cancer also has several stages and each stage is different in dimension and affect from others.

Sent by prostate cancer stage | 4:02 PM ET | 12-13-2007