A letter to my Christmas Tree

Dear Christmas Tree,
Pre-children, we always had live trees, but a pre-lit, artificial tree just seemed easier once we started having children, hence the need for you. Apparently this year has been rough on you, too.  Being moved between three attics and two storage units has definitely taken a toll on your shape.  But in my head, I pictured how you should look and I decided we could keep using you a couple more years.  The thing is, I just can't get you to look the way I picture you in my head.  My mental Christmas tree has beautifully coordinated ornaments spaced perfectly.  In reality, the ornaments hanging on you are a hodge-podge of gifts from preschoolers I used to teach, souvenirs from trips, handmade things by the girls, and even ornaments Jason's grandmother gave him when he was a boy.  Ornaments that bring a flood of memories to mind as they are placed.  Should I even talk about the placement of those ornaments??? It looks like ornaments were distributed by a tornado sweeping through.  I'm pretty sure you will topple over from the weight if one more ornament is added to your front, lower section and the placement changes daily because four little hands can not seem to keep from touching you.  Yes, I'll admit to wanting to avoid the room you are in because you just don't seem to measure up to my expectations.  Then I think about the people I care about who would love to have a tree that looks like mine, decorated by little hands that won't always be little and won't always be interested in helping mama in whatever chore she is doing and so I've decided you really are a beautiful tree after all.