Traditions to remember

In 1984, Kim and I moved to the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York to consult with wineries on behalf of the State University of New York. We were horribly poor, watching every penny. It was December, and we needed a Christmas tree. On a bitter Saturday afternoon with snow blowing and a wind chill of probably minus 10 degrees, we found a gas station open that also sold Christmas trees. We saw a nice little "Charlie Brown" tree, and scraped together the twenty dollars needed to take it home.  

As we loaded the tree into the truck, the attendant asked if we wanted "Red or White". Kim and I looked at each other in utmost puzzlement.  "Red or White what", we asked.  The attendant pointed to a sign that said "Free bag of onions with every Christmas tree". "Well," we said, "we'll take red!" We took the tree and bag of red onions home. Not being able to afford ornaments, we decorated the onions and hung them from the tree.

From that point on, we hang onions on our tree every year to remind us that while we may not be wealthy, we are very rich. We have our family, our friends, our humilty and respect for one another.

What more could you ask?  It is with earnest and deep felt warmth that Kim, Tommy, Kevin and I wish you the best holiday season ever.