Appreciation is a lost art

That little nub in the middle of the photo is my neighbor's tree. It takes center stage in the view from our living room window. For more than a decade, my neighbor decorated it on the holidays with big, beautiful, old school C9 lights. It was a simple sprinkle of holiday cheer on a street where few houses take part in any outdoor festivity.

The lights were up year-round. My neighbor is not one to succumb to arbitrary suggestions to remove yard art according to the seasons. He embraces joy whenever he wants. 

Beyond the holidays, the lights would sometimes be on during early winter Kansas City storms, adding a little glee to a snow frenzy, or a flash of hope in a crashing spring thunderstorm.

Last month, the tree got whacked. I haven't seen my neighbor to ask why. One morning the tree appeared healthy and full; now it's a tall stub of wood, its bristly branches gone. Nowhere left to hang the lights, the electrified holiday cheer. 

Last night I noticed the tall stump had been modified. A brilliant blue Star of David perched at the very top, its homemade 2x4 trellis a masterpiece of scrap wood genius. It was simply beautiful. 

Little things serve to prompt appreciation. I appreciated that big, bristly evergreen. Yet, I appreciate it's new garb even more. What a great reminder to cherish and appreciate the things in life that you take for granted. Or those that you should.

I miss the tree, but its new purpose is even better.