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About Hermiston herald. (Hermiston, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 6, 2019)
Wednesday, February 6, 2019 OPINION The afterlife of a Christmas tree “Y ou can have any tree on the take theirs. First they unshrouded it and lot for five bucks,” he joked then began telling me about how wonder- ful it was, after which I felt like I was cart- as I backed up to the growing ing away their favorite pet. Other pile of discarded Christmas trees. “I will take them all,” I said with used trees had various attachments, the same sarcasm, and began load- including ornaments that were ing my van with as many trees as found only after the goats were it would hold. I was on my sixth or done. My favorite tree had lights 16th trip to the community Christ- and stand still attached. I could mas tree recycle pile and was get- only imagine somebody saying, ting tired of the routine. I would go “Christmas is over, and get this tree Wes through the newly added trees and out of here right now!” load those with plenty of green nee- Stonecypher Goats welcome used trees with dles and without tinsel, fake snow the same enthusiasm children have or urine smell. for decorating new ones. They dance A few years ago I discovered that my around and maneuver with an attack strat- egy. They cooperate like workmen, even wife’s goat herd loved Christmas trees. rolling trees over so they do not have to I threw our used tree on a burn pile only eat off the ground. They take short breaks to watch it disappear in a feeding frenzy. sitting upon the ready-to-eat tree pile then After that I retrieved used trees from move in like piranhas or the cartoon char- friends, neighbors, and the recycle pile. At acter “Sylvester the cat,” eating a fish first I was particular about the size, spe- cies and cultivation of a tree. A fresh, large and finishing with a bright shiny skele- ton. They indiscriminately eat all trees and naturally grown fir tree with no signs and I do not know their favorite species. of chemicals was preferred. But as trips I always thought about their reaction to mounted I would load any tree with nee- dles that would stay on long enough for an artificial one. Affecting goats with a the trip home. treated tree occurred to me, but then I real- ize that most trees are meant to be inside I began to develop an insight into the life of a Christmas tree. Like a Fourth of with people. July bomb, it goes from valuable to worth- I am not sure of the origin of Christ- mas trees. I wish that we could decorate less overnight. I began my tree gather- ing at the recycle pile when it was con- our lives with them throughout the year. venient for me but found it best to collect But I have prolonged their beauty and use- fulness by providing entertainment and them with no onlookers. Most people, food. The last lyric in the famous song “O other than the mentioned salesman, would Christmas Tree” when sung at our house ask why I was “doing the opposite of will always be: “… How tasty are your everybody.” Used trees leave their host differently. branches.” Once an older couple pleaded with me to Wes Stonecypher is a Umatilla resident. HerMIsTOnHeraLd.COM • A7 An answer to life’s problems H ave you ever felt like life is unfair? redemption. I have. I’m sure that if you’re like For many, today, surviving can seem almost out of reach. Circumstances me, there have been plenty can be so overwhelming that it of times when you have experi- enced situations when you thought feels as though the sense of wellbe- ing is slipping through their fingers. that you were the only one going Does that resonate with you? through difficulty. Life can be so Maybe you are wondering if things ugly at times. will ever be better than they are I’ve discovered that when I have right now. Sometimes it seems as those feelings, there are at least Dave Andrus though the easy sounding solutions three lies that slide into my mind. our world throws out just don’t cut 1- No one else struggles like I do. it. We try them. We run from one solution 2- Bad things happen to me and not to to another solution when the previous one them. 3- Others get what I think I deserve. doesn’t work. If I’m not careful, one of those In my life, I’ve discovered a ‘redeemer’ thoughts can invade and twist the reality who loves me regardless of the circum- of life when I’m experiencing struggles. stances I may face. A ‘redeemer’ who The truth is that every one of us will face never turns his back on me. For you see, times of difficulty regardless of what level a ‘redeemer’ is one who pays the price of pain it may be. for ransom; who buys back one who is There is an historical account found unwanted. His name is Jesus. in the Bible (Book of Ruth) about two Just like Naomi and Ruth discovered women who faced unbelievable circum- stances that would have taken most of a ‘redeemer’ in their situations, I have us down. Both women lost their hus- been forever changed by the one and only bands. Both Naomi and Ruth found them- ‘redeemer’ who promises what no other selves displaced in foreign countries. Both person or entity on earth can fulfill. of them encountered hardships which, I know what you are thinking. That today, seem unimaginable. Yet, in spite sounds too good to be true. But I have of the ugliness and severe pain which found that in a world of uncertainty, he is each of them suffered, they not only sur- the answer to my doubt and insecurity. vived, they thrived. In the end, each of Dave Andrus is pastor of New Hope them discovered not just healing, but also Community Church in Hermiston. LETTER Pool before skatepark I am disappointed that the city of Herm- iston chose to build a skate park instead of a covered swimming pool. I think the lat- ter would serve a much greater population than the former. Mike Mehren, Hermiston SUBMIT A LETTER TO THE EDITOR Letters to the editor is a forum for local Hermiston Herald readers to express themselves on local, state, national or world issues. brevity is good, but longer letters should be kept to 250 words. Letters must be original and signed by the writer or writers. MORE WINNERS. MORE OFTEN. 3 Grand Prize winners will choose a case filled with cash at 9PM on March 2! 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