Home Depot and Eartha Kitt

a story by Lauren Hanks

When I think of Christmas, I often think of Home Depot and Eartha Kitt. Let me explain.

Every year, as soon as my older sister and I can make it home to Dallas, the entire family piles into the suburban, equipped with rope and clothes we don’t mind getting sap on, and we drive a lazy six miles to our local Home Depot. Upon exiting the car, we can always follow the scent of pine and wood and make our way to the rows and rows of magnificent Christmas trees – Fraser and Balsam and Douglas fir.

After a painstaking review of what’s available, we take turns holding up no less than three different options. Our ideal tree is taller than me, offers 360° of fullness, and boasts branches strong enough to hold some of our heavier ornaments. The entire process can take anywhere from 45 minutes to 90, but we’ve never left without a tree.

With the aid of a few choice swear words, we tie the tree down, drive home, unload, and turn on … you guessed it, Eartha Kitt’s Santa Baby.

It’s important to note that the decorating of the actual tree starts with just me and my sister putting on the lights. Now, what that entails is me standing with a cup of cocoa (or red wine) and doing exactly what my sister tells me to do. Her thoroughness and attention to detail in placing the lights just so knows no bounds. If the tree’s tall enough, I’m responsible for moving the ladder about as we go round and round the tree. Otherwise, I occupy the irreplaceable position of holding the excess string of lights and singing loudly and off key.

While I can’t count on snow in Texas or finding my terribly unmaterialistic father a good gift, I can always count on Home Depot and Eartha Kitt for ostensibly mundane yet absolutely magical Christmas moments.

Scripture: Luke 1:50

He shows mercy to everyone, from one generation to the next, who honors him as God.

Prayer

God, give us eyes to see your beauty and ears to hear your glory in the secular and the holy and when the two become one.  Amen.