The days were getting shorter and colder and shorter and colder. The season was starting to turn toward winter and the winter holidays so Mindy, a moose, and her friend Esha, an eagle, were getting ready to celebrate. The two friends had three yearly traditions to kick off the holiday season:

1. Go to the coffee shop and order hot cocoa with extra marshmallows.

2. Walk around the downtown shopping district on the first day they put up all the holiday decorations.

3. Exchange the first gift of the season with each other.

As the two friends exited the coffee shop with piping hot cocoa and extra marshmallows they paused to acknowledge that the season felt quite different this year. Many folks were staying in their homes and the usual holiday hustle-bustle had not quite ramped up yet.

“There aren’t that many people on the streets but everyone has still put their decorations up,” Mindy remarked. “I think that’s nice.”

“It’s nice, but it’s also a little strange, no?” Esha replied. “Everyone has their decorations up but there isn’t anyone out here. What’s the point?”

Mindy hadn't thought about that perspective and considered it for a moment as the two friends walked by a large storefront Christmas tree. The tree was beautifully decorated every year. It was a real attraction. Folks would form long lines to take their pictures in front of the tree at all hours of the day.

This year, however, no one stood in front of the tree. There were no pictures being taken, no long lines, no children with big smiles and cheer but still, the tree was there.

“It’s sad the tree is all by itself,” Esha remarked again. “It feels so peculiar. Almost like without the people, the tree feels lonely.”

And just like that Mindy also felt the loneliness of the tree. The tree must be so used to lighting up and seeing so many people visit during this time of year. The tree probably looks forward to the holidays and gets so excited when it’s getting dressed up and adorned with the best lights and ornaments with pretty stars and bows all over and then all these people come downtown and compliment the tree and take pictures and say how pretty the tree looks and it makes the tree feel so warm and appreciated, but this year, nothing.

“That is sad.” Mindy lamented. “Maybe we could spend some time with the tree? There is a bench right across, we could keep it company there?”

“That’s a good idea” Esha agreed.

The two friends made their way to the bench and had a seat. The two usually avoided the big crowds that typically gathered by the tree every year so this was the closest and most they ever had a chance to appreciate the tree.

“It’s really gorgeous up close isn’t it?”

“It sure is. So lush and green and bright and beautiful.”

“It smells wonderful. Fragrant, sweet, earthy, piney.”

“Hang in there tree, don’t be sad!”

The two friends continued to sip their hot chocolate and keep the tree company as night started to fall. Holiday lights were slowly beginning to come up all over the town. Mindy and Esha watched silently as window after window and display after display came to life. Lights and decorations illuminating the empty streets around them.

These lights didn’t seem sad though. They seemed hopeful. Hopeful that one day someone might see the lights and remember the warmth of the season. Maybe they would see a waving Santa Claus and for a brief second remember the joy that can be found in the darkest winter days.

“This is a great spot.” Mindy said, “It feels like we’re in the center of a wonderland.

Esha was enamored by all the lights. She looked around the town and then back up at the tree:

“Maybe the tree isn’t lonely. Maybe it just has to wait till night for all its friends to come out and play.”

Esha smiled at Mindy and the two exchanged gifts with each other. Mindy got Esha a set of calligraphy pens and Esha got Mindy a Bunsen burner.

“Best present ever!” They both lied to each other.

The two friends hugged and headed back home happy to have kept their tradition on track for another year. The tree watched the two friends as they left, happy that someone came and spent some time with it during this lonely year. The tree sparkled and shown a little brighter that night and kept it up for the rest of the season.