Ani’s Advent Calendar 2018! Romance, Anne Copeland and the Christmas Trees

Posted on December 11, 2018 by Sue Vincent

She keeps looking up at the mistletoe when we are out for our walks and sighing a bit. When I asked her why, she said that when she was younger, the mistletoe was one of the first bits of Christmas that she would bring home.

Now, I have to say, it doesn’t look all that Christmassy to me… just little white balls that she says I am not allowed to play with or eat… But ‘pparently, the stuff is romantic.

Not, she says, just because you get to kiss people who stand underneath it…  but because it has history. It is one of the Druidic sacred woods… perhaps even the fabled Golden Bough that Aeneas had to pluck to visit the land of the dead. I’ve no doubt she would go off into loads of detail and speculation here, but it’s my post and its Christmas… so you can look it all up here if you are interested.

Anyway, she can call that romantic if she likes, but I’m not so sure it is where I would like to spend the holly-days! No, she said, Romance is different from romance…  Well, if she isoing to get started on semantics, she can just go get another mince pie while I share something really romantic instead, from a friend of mine, Anne Copeland…

The Christmas Trees

by Anne Copeland

There they lay, forlorn and drying out in the parking lot.

There were two of them, and it nearly made me cry to see them.

These two pine trees had given up their lives to be Christmas trees.

And yet here they lay, and it was clear no one had taken them home.

Into the store I literally ran,

My heart pounding, I asked

“What is the price of those two Christmas trees?”

The man looked at me as he said

“Oh, they are leftovers. You can have them.”

I ran back to them, stopping

To let them know

They were going home with me.

I managed to get the first one into the back

Of my old Honda Hatchback

But the second one was just too heavy.

I ran back into the store.

“Can you please help me?” I asked, hopefully.

Of course, the man said. No one else was there.

So the other tree joined its friend.

And toward home we headed.

The fragrance of the trees

Filled my heart.

Once home,

I pulled and tugged and dragged

The first tree into the backyard

Where a nice bucket of water

Awaited.

But the second one was not coming easily.

After applying all my strength,

It was still in the back of the car.

I ran to get the maintenance man, Richard.

Without laughing at me

For my request

He followed me back

And with strong arms

Pulled out the second tree

And I helped him get it into the water.

I was touched

That this big man did not

Laugh at me

Or the idea that these trees

Gave their lives

To be Christmas trees.

We have been together

Almost five years now.

The trees lived through the holidays.

We gave them the gift of life.

And we gave each other

The gift of Love.

About the author

I am a young-minded senior mentor, advocate, and activist for physically, developmentally, and emotionally physically challenged adults and children. Sometime in the late 60’s, my younger and only sibling came home from Vietnam 100% disabled, and it gave me the heart to do this work, which I have been doing ever since.

I am also an activist for anti-bullying of any age or race of person. I pretty much say what I think and think what I say; no game playing or untruths here. I am the editor of a book filled with the writings of the lives of 23 physically challenged fiber artists, Artful Alchemy: Physically Challenged Fiber Artists Creating, and also Pumpkin, Pumpkin: Folklore, History, Planting Care, and Good Eating. The second book is in its 3rd Edition, and is currently being revamped to include a paperback. I have two children’s books awaiting illustrations and final formatting and editing, and I have a book on quilt history awaiting my time and attention when the others are completed.

I am a professional artist in mixed media, urban art, and fiber arts, and I have had my own businesses and careers most of my life.

Find and follow Anne

All in a Day’s Breath   Twitter   Artful Alchemy

Artful Alchemy

Physically Challenged Fiber Artists Creating

Edited by Anne Copeland

With the assistance of Barbara Williamson

Available via Amazon

The medieval practice of alchemy was concerned with trying to combine ordinary materials into something unique such as turning base metals into gold, finding a cure to end disease, and the path to prolonging life. It was practiced hand-in-hand with spiritual beliefs that it was possible to change that which was known. By the same token, artful alchemy is the process of spiritual discovery that enabled the artists in this book to transform their challenged lives, resulting in personal growth and international success in their art.

Most of these artists have their own businesses teaching, lecturing, designing patterns, writing books and creating and selling their unique art, leaving a rich legacy for upcoming artists and other creative people.  All of them have been involved in international exhibits, winning major awards, and receiving written recognition. As you read through this highly inspirational book, we believe you will discover the possibilities available for your own life through the discovery of artful alchemy.

This book contains a collection of beautiful art, plus the personal stories of the 23 multi-talented contributors. The common thread through their lives is that each woman has overcome physical and other challenges to become a successful artist in the textile medium. Many of these women have websites and sell their work through the Internet sites, while others sell in galleries, exhibits, or through their teaching. Some create to speak to political and other social issues, while others use their quilts to educate the public about their physical challenges. If you have dreamed of expressing your own creativity, this book will provide the inspiration you need.

An Invitation from the Small Dog

If you would like to help Ani make her advent calendar this year, send your letters to Santa, festive memories, short stories, flash fiction or poems to the Small Dog. She will post them every day through December until Christmas…and there are still spaces left!

She would especially like to hear from her four-legged or feathered friends (she has a special place very close to her heart for turkeys)… but she says that two-legs are better than none, so she will accept submissions from humans too (and even no-legs if there is the odd literary snake out there…). To get in touch, please use the form on the contact page or email Ani at findme@scvincent.com

About Sue Vincent

Sue Vincent was a Yorkshire born writer, esoteric teacher and a Director of The Silent Eye. She was immersed in the Mysteries all her life. Sue maintained a popular blog and is co-author of The Mystical Hexagram with Dr G.M.Vasey. Sue lived in Buckinghamshire, having been stranded there due to an accident with a blindfold, a pin and a map. She had a lasting love-affair with the landscape of Albion, the hidden country of the heart. Sue  passed into spirit at the end of March 2021.
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39 Responses to Ani’s Advent Calendar 2018! Romance, Anne Copeland and the Christmas Trees

  1. robbiesinspiration says:
    December 11, 2018 at 06:22

    This is a lovely Christmas poem story, Anne and Sue. Sharing.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  2. Ritu says:
    December 11, 2018 at 06:31

    Such a lovely festive feel good story 😍

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  4. jenanita01 says:
    December 11, 2018 at 08:48

    Such a beautiful story of love and rescue, just what we need at Christmas…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  5. Patty says:
    December 11, 2018 at 09:07

    Reblogged this on Campbells World.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  7. Darlene says:
    December 11, 2018 at 12:44

    I love this wonderful Christmas story with everyone willing to help give these trees new life. xo

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  8. Mary Smith says:
    December 11, 2018 at 13:01

    Aw, what a lovely story.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  9. Dale says:
    December 11, 2018 at 15:32

    What a lovely story! Thank you for sharing.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  10. Alethea Kehas says:
    December 11, 2018 at 15:43

    So lovely, Anne. Speaks right to the heart ❤

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  11. Adele Marie says:
    December 11, 2018 at 16:41

    An amazing and beautiful story, thank you for sharing and for rescuing the trees. xxx

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  12. Hugh's Views and News says:
    December 11, 2018 at 16:45

    What a lovely Christmas story, Anne. I’m glad you saved those two pine trees and that they returned the love to you by giving you joy and happiness when looking at them in your garden. Thank goodness Richard was there to help you get the second tree out of the car. I bet the car spelt of pine for many days.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • Anne Copeland says:
      December 13, 2018 at 21:56

      Thank you so kindly, Hugh. Yes, I am a big rescuer in life and trees to me are sacred as are we all. And yes, Richard was there and I grabbed him up quickly and saved him too. I will tell that next chapter of the story another time, but he is the bonus Christmas surprise I got after we saved the trees. He is blessed with a good and sharing heart and every plant responds to him as do the animals. Even the meanest animals in our mobile home park come to him wagging their tales and waiting for pets. Cheers for the end of this year and the start of the new one!

      Liked by 3 people

      Reply
  13. D. Wallace Peach says:
    December 11, 2018 at 18:52

    I just love Anne’s poem. What a wonderful celebration of life, sacrifice, and love. Thanks for sharing, Ani.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  14. dgkaye says:
    December 12, 2018 at 00:57

    A most beautiful poem from Anne. And Ani, you’re too cute. Thanks for the history of the mistletoe ❤

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  15. noelleg44 says:
    December 12, 2018 at 18:05

    What a lovely, lovely Christmas poem! Touched my heart!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  16. willowdot21 says:
    December 12, 2018 at 20:06

    Beautiful poem Anne 💜

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  17. Widdershins says:
    December 13, 2018 at 03:25

    Thank you for rescuing them 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  18. Jennie says:
    December 14, 2018 at 12:01

    Just beautiful!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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