This month we had the blessing of continuing a family tradition. Our grandson, our one and only grandchild, turned three. Like his mother, our daughter, his birthday comes just before Christmas. As those of you who have birthdays in December know, this makes it hard to avoid the collision of these two important events in the year of a young child. So, while we try to keep from blending these celebrations, I just couldn’t help myself from carrying on a family tradition. When my children, now 36 and 34, were young, my parents annually sent a small potted evergreen tree. This tree served as a holiday gift, a holiday decoration, and in the spring, a new planting on our farm. Over the years, we have had the pleasure of watching this row of beautiful trees grow to maturity, on the perimeter of our pond.

Planting New Memories

This fall, our daughter and her husband purchased their first home. Until this year, they were students, struggling to make ends meet while paying back school loans and raising a baby. But this fall, we were blessed when they moved back to Wisconsin. They are now both within a short drive of both sets of grandparents and are Cheeseheads again. With the purchase of their new home, they can now put down roots, literally and figuratively. So we bought them their first potted evergreen tree. For the time being, the small tree has a string of tiny battery-operated lights and a few bows on it. Our grandson is enchanted by the power of the light switch. He spends untold time flipping switches. For now, the tree’s lights will get a workout – on and off, on and off, on and off. But once the ground thaws, this adorable little tree will find its way outside, and on to bigger and better things as their family’s first addition to their new landscape.

New Additions

While my daughter and her family will enjoy this new addition to their landscape. I also know many other families are enjoying the joy of a new puppy or kitten this holiday season. I’ve noticed in my practice alone many families have added a new pet during the time of COVID-19 and as we all know, a new pet means lots of unknowns. I wanted to do something to help these new puppy and kitten owners, so I’ve recently published a new book called Your Pandemic Puppy. My goal with this book is to help keep these new four-legged family members safe and happy in their new homes. The book is currently on sale on Amazon. So whether you have a potted Christmas tree that will eventually be placed outdoors or an artificial tree inside your home filled with ornaments and memories, during the joy of this holiday season, my hope is that you and your pets stay safe. Merry Christmas and wishing you a wonderful 2021.