Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree, How Lovely Are Your…..

Please don’t ask me what’s changed during the last four years because I honestly could not tell you. Each year, without fail, we purchase a live Blue Spruce Christmas tree (a gorgeous, voluptuous tree that is my absolute favorite). Not only do I prefer live trees to artificial for their beauty, rather it’s the fact I am enthralled by the smell of fresh Christmas trees-after all, it simply screams out, “Christmas is coming”! With that said, this year something has changed. At first I attributed my sinus and allergy issues due to the erratic weather we’ve recently been experiencing (I mean seriously-on Thanksgiving day it was 68 degrees then on the following day it dramatically dropped to a mere 38 degrees). Armed with the conviction it was simply the weather I headed out to my local physician who promptly prescribed me an antibiotic, decongestant (AKA the whole works). Unfortunately I am now five days into my medicinal treatments and while I feel wonderful at work, outside, and even upstairs in my house I begin to feel truly dreadful the minute I venture downstairs. It hits me instantly upon entering the downstairs area - sneezing, coughing, runny/drippy eyes and nose, wheezing, etc. Dear Lord- we still have 27 more days until Christmas. How will I survive? I am not keen on the idea of spending the next 27 days upstairs simply because I cannot breathe. Furthermore, I have literally tried everything-cough drops, humidifiers, nasal strips and Afrin Nasal Spray (consequently the Afrin strictly states it should be taken for no more than 3 consecutive days—too bad I am on week 3). Oh Christmas spirit please help me not only survive but also enjoy our beautifully decorated tree. Amen.