Well it seems that my last post about The Sad Little Christmas Tree has caused a bit of a wind storm in the family.  The version of the story as told by Daddy to Mark, Marissa and myself was not in keeping with the story as told to the adult children when they were little.  The ending of the story that Doug's older daughter remembers (and confirmed by the older son), is different from the one told to the littles recently.  So to quote a certain meerkat named Timone, "What's going on around here!"  On the surface one would ask, "Who cares?"  But it is clear that daughter number one does care very much because she has told her children, our grandchildren, the story of "The Sad Little Christmas Tree" ever since they were old enough to sit and listen.  The previous blog post has opened my eyes to what has unknowingly touched the sensitivities of a very treasured family tradition from the past.  Mind you, this is all in a good natured, fun kind of way.  Now to be fair to me, I had only posted the story as given to me by Father, in written form, to make sure that I got it right.  So what has happened here?  Did Father forget his original story ending?  Seems so, as he initially denied that the ending to the story as remembered by daughter number one, was the original story.

I however, believe her.  I am sure that the story as she remembered it was the story that he told her every year at Christmas.  This is the story that she is telling her children and I suspect that they will tell it to theirs.  But now what?  Does he change the story back to the original version?  What will daughter number two think if he changes the story now?  Is there a different story to be told with the passing of time?

Here is the thing.  This is not my story.  What ever Father does to work this out is entirely his decision.  Perhaps the story will have an "alternative ending".  What I know for certain, is that two very special little girls will remember that this man took the time to tell them Christmas stories.  They will treasure the tradition as much as the man who told them.  In turn they will tell their version of the story to their children every Christmas.  Do stories change in the telling?  Perhaps.  Is there something lost in the telling and retelling of the story?  Maybe.  Is there any value in telling the story?  For sure!  Big sister and little sister will remember the feeling of being warmly wrapped up in Daddy's arms.  Quietly listening to his soothing voice as they felt his strong and steady heart softly beating in his chest, lulling them off to sleep amidst all of the Christmas excitement.  This is the true treasure of the story of "The Sad Little Christmas Tree".  Christmas traditions, some old, some new, some worth keeping.

At the end of the day, these two beautiful girls will have shared the most precious thing of all...a wonderful, loving Daddy who made them feel special and cherished.  A good man and Father, who could send them off to sleep with stories of sad little Christmas trees, made happy, dancing in their heads.