The First Tree - Chapter 3

A Stroll Through the Forest
"Mrs. Claus, what makes you so excited about Christmas trees?" asked Samantha, as she pressed her way through the snow to Mrs. Claus’s side. Mrs. Claus grasped her hand as they walked. She smiled at Samantha. A far off look crossed her eyes.
"Samantha, that is a good question. Would you believe me if I told you that it was my mother. Yes, my mother was meticulous with everything in her life. Her home was spotless, everything in its place. Everything done for a purpose. She instilled in me the desire and need to create traditions for my Christmas."
Samantha looked thoughtful. Mrs. Claus laughed at the little elf as she could tell that there was yet another question that Samantha wanted to ask but was hesitant to voice.
"What is it my dear? What do you want to ask?" She squeezed the little elf’s hand encouragingly.
"Well..." She coaxed.
Finally, Samantha blurted out the question in a rush of words reminiscent of air escaping from a balloon.
"Was your mother as picky or as choosy or as particular about her Christmas tree as you are?"
There was some relief on Samantha’s face having finally rid herself of the question that had been building up inside. But the relief was quickly replaced by an anxious expression as she slowly looked up at Mrs. Claus to see if she was in trouble. To her relief, Mrs. Claus started to laugh. She laughed and laughed. She finally stopped walking, leaned over her cane and cried with laughter.
"My mother," she choked, "was twice as bad as me!" Wiping her eyes, she continued. "She would have called herself ‘exacting.’ But it was just as you described. She was picky! Why, she would have been out in this forest for days. Finally, She would have my father bring in three of the prettiest trees in the forest and from them build one perfect tree. Oh, she was much worse then me. You three are very lucky! Although I admit, she did rub off. I find myself acting in many of the same ways and saying things that I heard her say to me when I was just a little girl. Christmas craziness aside, she was a wonderful mother and certainly knew how to put together a beautiful tree!" She paused as if in thought "But our Christmas’s were magical." And then said, "Santa was much younger back then and it was long before we met."
With no small amount of satisfaction, Mrs. Claus returned to the task at hand. But instead of walking in silence, she began reminiscing with the elves of Christmas past with stories of her mother and of the many traditions that she could remember.