Page 38 - Write Away Magazine Dec 2019
P. 38
Grandma’s Got A New Christmas Tree
The old tree was withered from years of use, Oh no, it’s almost the 25th this can’t be the end.
but grandma couldn’t bear to let it go. She might roll back the calendar and do it again.
Through 27 Christmases the tree has survived. With all the happiness that the old gal has found,
With love and tinsel the age hardly shows. it might be the 4th of July
before the tree comes down.
This year, as she was getting it from the box,
the limbs were tattered and falling apart. Grandma’s got a new Christmas tree
First she got mad, then she was sad, and she’s showing it off !
as all the memories swelled in her heart.
To view this lyric on Songbay...
The kids suggested, it’s time to get a new tree.
Grandma went to Wally’s to find one that’s just right. Growing up in East Tennessee in the 1970’s I had a lot
So easy to assemble, granny couldn’t believe, of friends in bands, probably not much different than it
It came in three pieces, even built in lights is today. I would work to help set up the stage and their
instruments since I couldn’t play or sing myself. I did not
Grandma’s got a new Christmas tree come from a musical family. I discovered it on my own,
and she’s showing it off. with influence from my older brother and friends. I went
She lights it brightly every night. to my first concert on my 13th birthday, it was Three Dog
Night I listened to the radio all the time. I’d stay up most
She opens the curtains so everyone will see, of the night. I decided at age 14 that since I couldn’t be in
this shiny new tree with glimmering lights. a band like my friends, I could at least play music on the
She’s as thrilled as she can be. radio. We had a career day in 8th grade and I chose DJ.
She’s called her friends on the phone
and her grand-babies too. I went into the U.S. Army at age 17. When I came home
This Christmas will be the best ever. 2 years later, I went to broadcasting school in nearby
Granny’s spreading the news. Knoxville, Tn. What followed was a 20 year career in radio
broadcasting. I stayed locally instead of pursuing work
Every day of the week even before dark, outside the area. I feel that I could have made it in a bigger
granny lights the tree and it gives her a spark. market. Working in mostly small town radio is tough. It’s
Cloudy days, rainy days, it doesn’t matter to her. low pay and no benefits. I worked at numerous stations in
East Tennessee. Over the years, I developed an
That tree will be glistening and she’ll get a stir. alcohol dependency. It was not uncommon, for some of
my co-workers to be involved in drugs and alcohol. It was
The kids all love it, especially what’s underneath. just what we did during that time.I was one of the worst. I
Grandma went crazy this year way beyond belief. was an alcoholic. Without going into all the details, it was
Presents for the kids, grand-kids, bad. I lost a couple of radio jobs and burned a lot of
neighbors and friends. bridges. After years of struggling, I finally got clean and
Granny maxed her credit cards right to the end. sober, over 14 years now. I decided to go back to
college at the age of 43. I studied Computer Networking.
Grandma’s got a new Christmas tree I earned an associates degree. Not bad for a high school
and she’s showing it off. drop out with a GED. I got a job at the company that I’m
still employed at today, 11 years later. I currently work in
She lights it brightly every night. Cybersecurity.
She opens the curtains so everyone will see,
this shiny new tree with glimmering lights. I started writing lyrics when I was a teenager. Over the
She’s as thrilled as she can be. years I would write some from time to time. I’ve always
She’s called her friends on the phone enjoyed reading lyrics too, it was one of the cool things
and her grand-babies too. about record albums growing up. The albums would often
This Christmas will be the best ever. have the lyrics included. I’ve always had a good
Granny’s spreading the news. imagination and that helped me in my writing. A few
years back I started writing more regular. I had talked
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