Like an old friend

Well, my tree is up.  Not decorated, mind you, but it's up, standing patiently waiting for the decorations that will adorn it after I get back from my Thanksgiving trip.  I decided that I would put it up now so I can hang the ornaments as soon as I get back since I will be doing some holiday entertaining starting on the 8th.  I've been trying to remember how old this (obviously artificial) tree is.  It's an antique as far as artificial trees are concerned.  I have to assemble it branch by branch and it doesn't have built in lights. Those have to be strung.  Amazingly it still looks a lot like a Christmas tree, especially after it's covered with ornaments, and I still love seeing it. There are a lot of happy memories wrapped up in this old tree.  Over the years one or more of my kides and grandchildren have helped me decorate it which is always fun.  But, back to the question of age. My husband and I bougth this tree when we moved back from Ohio to Tonkel Road because we needed a larger (7 foot) tree.  We paid a reasonable price for it, a little more that we expeceted to, but it looked good and fit the space well.  After 37 years, I think I've gotten my money's worth.  One of these years I will probably decide that I am too old or too tired to put it up but not yet, not just yet.