Van Ree's Voice

My Nebraska Christmas tree

Saying that the Pacific Northwest is different from the badlands of Nebraska is an understatement. I love both places for different reasons, but the distinctions in topography can’t help but stick out like a sore thumb to me. The biggest change to hit me this holiday season is the lack of large, bushy, green Christmas trees that go on for what seems like forever.

Every year my parents, brother and I usually go chop down a sweet smelling pine tree in the forested area surrounding the Atlantic salmon farm that we lived on or we travel to a friend’s tree lot a couple minutes away to pick out our Christmas centerpiece.

Around my hometown Christmas time also means intense flooding that sometimes makes nationwide news. At times we became so water-locked that our house would mimic a tiny island. We would have to paddle our canoe out to gather tree swags and get to trees when the Chehalis River would flood. My brother and I would sprint through the cedar and pine trees, sometimes getting lost in the beauty of the forest for periods of time.

It’s safe to say we most likely wouldn’t have had the problem of getting lost in thick woodland living in Sidney. The lack of trees and green is something that I am still adjusting to.

Since there appears to be no abundance of giant Christmas trees for me to choose from, I decided to take a new approach to my Christmas tree option this year. I decided to take a look around and embrace what Nebraska’s land and towns are rich with.

Last night I started driving, hunting for my perfect Christmas tree. Unfortunately I began my quest after work and there was very little visible light to work with.

Since I still have yet to possess feline-like night vision capabilities, this search of mine seemed rather hopeless in the dark. But I pressed on keeping my eyes peeled for my soon-to-be Christmas cheer along the roadside.

After driving for about 10 minutes I finally could make out a fence along the road and stopped, hoping that my Christmas tree might be nestled against the wires.

It was my lucky night, perfectly nuzzled against the barrier was the Nebraska Christmas trees of all Christmas trees. I plucked the bush from the brief home it had made and took it back to my humble abode.

In my livingroom now stands a very short, but beautiful Christmas tree. But I can’t say that it’s technically a tree; it’s more like a bush. A dead bush. It’s branches mimic straw limbs and the bush’s complexion is that of a snow goose.

Some people would call my joy of a Christmas tree a Christmas tumbleweed, however I think it’s just what my tiny house needed this time of year.

The only concern I have with my new tree is that I’m slightly afraid to put any lights on the tree in fear that the dry bush will catch fire. I might just go without lights this year.

Sometimes we have to try something new, no matter if we’ve always followed the same tradition that we love in the same way every year. Sometimes we have to adapt and make a new tradition.

Whatever brings you holiday joy this winter, I hope that you take the time to enjoy it regardless of what others may say. Never take for granted the magic that defines this December season.

Contact Hannah Van Ree at [email protected]