Ten minutes to write. Less time to read.

It started three years ago when my friend, Noreen, and her husband, George, showed up on our doorstep – not unexpectedly – to help us decorate our Christmas tree. Until then, this task was relegated to me alone; and it had become something of a chore.

It’s not that Earl doesn’t like the Christmas season; in fact, his family does it in style. But standing there putting hooks on ornaments and arranging them one by one on the tree just isn’t his thing.

So when Noreen and George offered their expertise, I grabbed at the opportunity. They’ve been coming ever since. Now Noreen and George know a thing or two about decorating a home for the season, since they have a large house and put up trees in their great room, their foyer, their den, and their family room. This is for starters, since Noreen also collects Santa Clauses, which make an annual appearance as well.

My friends arrived yesterday and left this afternoon. In between, we decorated our one little tree and reminisced. I think that is what makes this new tradition so much fun for me, since I’ve known these special friends forty years.

Noreen found the little plaster tree that my son Kevin had made in kindergarten, and I found the lockets my son Keith had turned into ornaments. As we hung them on the tree, these discoveries led to other memories, until Noreen said, “We do have a history together, don’t we?”

Since my children are both coming for Christmas this year — for the first time in recent memory – it feels good to be getting ready early. I plan to enjoy every moment of the season.