The Little Train That Could

I have decided that decorating for Christmas is very similar to the story “The Little Train That Could.”

It’s one of my favorite childrens books, right after Goodnight Moon.  I love reading these stories to my grandsons.

Who doesn’t love a story about optimism and the spirit of giving it your all.

Like that Little Train, I think the process of decorating for Christmas, in many ways, carries the same storyline.

“I think I can, I think I can.”

You start out early November “thinking” about Christmas decor.  You may even start pinning a few inspirational pics.  But, you just can’t grasp the idea of decorating with Santa’s and Snow and and Reindeer, because for the moment there are pumpkins and gourds and mums all around your home.  

But, as Thanksgiving nears, your Little Engine is starting to build up steam, and you’re ready to get on that track and take off up that mountain.

But, first – there is turkey and dressing and giblets.
One must survive the Feast of the Giblets in order to earn the right to move on to the Celebration of Lights.

So, it’s Thanksgiving night, and the last plate has been scraped and loaded into the dishwasher, the last of the giblets and pumpkin pie bits have been placed in the fridge….and the steam is building at a high pitch now.  The Little Train whistle is starting to blow.  Can you hear the shrillness of the whistle?

Then in a great parade of pageantry, out comes the Christmas bins.  Out comes the rolls of carefully stored lights in perfectly unwadded form. Out comes the collected ornaments.  Out comes the ribbons and bows.

The Little Train has left the station and we are headed full steam up that mountain.  

The Mountain of Christmas Decorating Bliss.

Morning and night and every minute in between, you decorate…

“I think I can, I think I can…”

Decorating and crafting.  Crafting and decorating.
One mantel.  Then, a tree. A few wreaths.  The front porch.  The back porch. The Little Train is climbing up that mountain, and then suddenly you realize something….

That darn mountain is starting to get a little steep.

“That’s when you find out what you’re made of.”

“I think I can, I think I can.”

The mountain is really steep now.  You look over across the mountainside and see trains on other tracks, and some of them have already made it  over The Mountain of Christmas Decorating Bliss.  Some are close behind, and others haven’t even left the station left.  Oh, my. They better get moving before the snow moves in.  😀

So you feed the Little Train some more coal in its hungry little engine.  Eggnog and candy canes.  And wine.  Little Engines really like Robert Mondavi.  😀  “Oh, that’s silly Farnsworth.”

The Christmas decorating continues, even though its getting really, really hard now, and the Little Train needs some nightly soaks in the hot tub.

“Be careful, kid. Don’t bust a boiler.”

But, there is great joy.  Because the spirit of Christmas is shining bright, and there is a sense of pride in what has been accomplished.  And, the Mountain of Christmas Decorating Bliss is just over the ridge.

“I think I can, I think I can.”

With a final push,  a great plume of steam spills out over the tops of the trees, flowing out towards the mountainside.  

“When your feet are dragging on the ground stand up and face whatever you are afraid of…”

All the townspeople get a small glimpse of the steam, and know that the Little Train is near.

The townspeople gather at the station to wait the big arrival.  It’s drawing near, and not a moment too soon.

One last bit of coal, and one final push…

“I think I can, I think I can….”

The Little Train pulls into the station of The Mountain of Christmas Decorating Bliss.

“Yes, I did, and it was worth it!”

Yes, it is worth it.  And I could not have done it without the help of Mr. Main Engine.  Feeding me coal, refilling my wine, hanging garland and lights and generally just saying…

“You did it, Tillie!”

I will be announcing the winners of the French Grain Sack Christmas Pillows tonight on Facebook.  (and again here tomorrow)
Wait!!!!! Did I say “WINNERS?”  As in more than one?   Yep….surprise!  I am giving away TWO pillows to TWO lucky winners.

(Boy, Tillie’s sure fired up today!”)  😀

I can’t wait to announce the winners.

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