Anything for Grandma

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As Grandpa’s pick-up truck drove into the Gallatin National Forest, Lydia continued to remind him of Grandma’s instructions.  Grandma expected them to return home with the most perfect Douglas fir tree for Christmas.

Seven-year old Lydia was excited to make her first trip into the forest to pick out a Christmas tree.  Both she and Grandpa were dressed warmly in layers of outer clothing, snow boots, and stocking hats.  The early December day was going to be snowy and cold.

Lydia’s family always used an artificial Christmas tree, which was better described by Grandma as a “fake” tree.  Her eyes were filled with so much excitement, and her smile reminded Grandpa of the blessing of spending time with his beloved granddaughter.

With the tree permit in hand, Grandpa knew just the right place to find a tree in a dense grove of smaller to medium-sized trees.  Grandma had sent along a delicious lunch of sandwiches and hot chocolate. 

Upon finding their destination, Grandpa parked the truck along the road.  The two of them would have to hike into the forest for about a mile or two. 

Eventually their search found the special grove of trees.  Lydia’s expression was priceless as she witnessed her first look at “real” Christmas trees.

Grandpa gave Lydia her final instructions.  She needed to pick out a seven-footer, according to Grandma’s expectations.  After about 20 minutes, she found just the right tree.  Grandpa checked the measurements of the tree, and he was sure it would fit in the living room back home.

Crawling under the Douglas fir with his tree saw, Grandpa began to carefully cut the tree away from the frozen ground.  He made certain to leave a short stump of less than six inches, just as the Forest Service expected him to do. 

With Lydia’s help, they tied up the tree on a small sled that they’d brought.  Now they could easily transport the tree back to the waiting pick-up truck.

Sitting in the warm cab of the truck, Lydia and Grandpa enjoyed some tasty sandwiches with hot chocolate.  Their laughter and conversation kept them warm as well.

Soon it was time to drive back home with their treasured tree for Christmas.  Lydia took a nap along the way, but she woke-up when Grandpa pulled the pick-up into the driveway. 

Grandma stepped outside to see how the two tree hunters had made out.  She called to Lydia, “How did you do?”

Beaming with her warmest smile ever, Lydia ran and hugged her, “We found the most perfect tree.  Anything for Grandma!”

27 thoughts on “Anything for Grandma”

  7. What an enchanting story! I’m glad they made it all the way home safely. We got stuck in a snowdrift in our driveway abdchad to walk the last 50 yards home in the ccccold. That would have put a damper on Lydia’s spirits

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Oh my! It’s much too cold right now in Montana to be stuck anywhere. Lydia is actually one of my youngest grandchildren, but she is only four (but a pretty good storyteller). Just so you know, Christmas Day temperatures here will be the coldest in 40 years. I’ll probably feel right at home.

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  11. Charming story. I remember spending hours at the tree farm with the kids and I all bundled up and freezing as my artist husband went on a quest for the perfect tree!

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Kathy, thanks for sharing this cherished memory. I only went out in search of a Christmas tree in the national forest once. Years ago, I lived in Missoula, Montana where a fellow teacher and myself had permits to each cut a tree on national forest land outside of the city. My prized tree came home intact, but it was far bigger than I had imagined. Our meager supply of decorations barely covered much of the tree.

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