About an American Christmas tree, a paint job and a moving gesture

Missy, let's go chop a Christmas tree. With these words Wednesday, November 30th, Jeffrey entered the house. 
Towards Young's farm a half hour drive from Springfield we went.
Once there, the procedure was explained to us, we were handed a map, sled and saw and off we went into the fields. We had set our mind on a Canaan Fir because it looks a little different and smells delicious. After cruising the fields and looking around, our tree jumped at us and Jeffrey used the saw like a professional.

The service was excellent, they trimmed the stem so the tree would fit neatly in the holder, they wrapped and tied it on the car, we did not have to do a thing. 
When we sat in the car ready to go home, Jeffrey looked at me with a big smile and said: our first Christmas tree Missy! 
The plan was to let the tree acclimate in the sun room before putting it up and decorate Friday evening. The tree can acclimate in the holder in the living room for all I care Jeff said, I want to put the thing up.
I looked at him and saw a mischievous look on his face, he looked like a kid in the candy store :-) so in the living room the tree went. 
It was a good thing however we did not put ornaments in it, Thursday morning I saw the tree take a left turn towards the ground.
It took some time Thursday afternoon but eventually the tree was where we wanted it to be, standing straight up, in the middle of the window.
Friday evening I sat on the sofa and watched how WJ put the tree together with great precision and a lot of love. 

After Friday night usually comes Saturday.
We had to paint the bedroom so lets rock and roll, lets get rid of those blue walls.
It comes in handy when you work at a hospital, scrubs are a great outfit to paint in.

Jeffrey thought it would take only 1 coat and the blue would be gone. Picasso here said: FAT CHANCE DUDE! It will take at least 2 if not 3 layers, Jeffrey remained optimistic however. After we finished the first coat and the dark blue changed into light blue Jeffrey saw Sunday also would be devoted to painting. 
Saturday evening, while enjoying the tree and fire place, we watched a DVD, the movie "I am still Alice '. The story is about a young professor who is diagnosed with Alzheimer's.

Sunday morning after we put up coat 2, two things became clear. We were out of paint and the walls still not in the off white color we wanted it to be so of to Home Depot  for another can of paint. On our way to the store I thought: shouldn't we have taken a left here? This way we will end up at Springfield Regional Medical Center? Indeed, Jeffrey drove into the parking lot. You go to work because you're tired of painting? I joked.

I want to show you the tree while we are here, he said, and parked the car. We walked into the hall and I saw it was tastefully decorated. Nice big wreaths on the first and second floor and a nice big Christmas tree, calm on the eyes, in the center of the hall. On our right hand side were three small pine trees. Look, Jeff said as we walked towards them, these are called Trees of Light. In memory of a loved one, you can have an ornament placed he explained, and pointed at one. 
When I saw the name tag I couldn't believe my eyes and had to do my best not to burst into tears. He ordered an ornament for my mom, how thoughtful and sweet. 

What gave you that idea? I asked. 'I just thought you would like it' he said while he shrugged his shoulders and winked at me. After Christmas, the ornament will be given to you he explained. 
Quietly I walked out of the hospital, got into the car totally lost in my thoughts and emotions. And Jeffrey? ..... He made sure we got safe and sound in Home Depot and with paint and all where we needed to be, HOME!

By the end of the afternoon we were finally done painting, both very happy with the result so I could start putting the room back together. The last challenge for this room is to find something suitable for above the bed.

We had just finished cleaning up when the phone rang and we got the news Uncle Dale, 69 years young from North Carolina, passed away due to a heart attack. I had the privilege to meet him years ago in NC and thought he was a very special person, one gentile soul! 
Never before I was physically here when suffering a loss, so never before I saw the tears and disbelief. It is so much better to be able to comfort and embrace. To look each other in the eyes saying: know that I am here for you should you need me to listen or help you otherwise. It was a day with highs and lows but what an adventure.