The Tree Topper(Marla) We hauled our Christmas totes out of the basement and began the discussion of how to decorate the tree this year. Many times, we have chosen a particular color (or two colors) and placed only coordinating ornaments on the big tree in an effort to have something that looked at least somewhat intentional and presentable. The mismatched but much-loved ornaments were then placed on our smaller tree. This has gone over fairly well.

This year, however, we agreed to toss that idea. We would put whatever we liked on the tree. We eagerly went to work, listening to Christmas music as we hung the ornaments. At some point, we realized that there was no star to be found. This was not a problem. We could go without a star or replace the lost one. Or we could use our angel, though it’s a bit small. We happily continued the task. Then we turned on the lights, adjusted a few ornaments, and declared the job done.

A few weeks passed. I came home from work and saw something that I never expected to see on our tree. Proudly sitting atop the tree was a cardboard cutout of Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s handsome and confident face. This is what can happen when one of your kids works at a theater and has access to said cardboard cutout. I wish I could say it was the very first time he’d brought something home.

“Why is that on the tree? We’re supposed to put a star on the top,” I said to my mischievous son. (Who am I kidding? All of my kids are mischievous!)

“What do you mean, Mom?” he asked. “Dwayne Johnson literally is a star.”

I didn’t even bother arguing that one. It’s silly. It’s funny. Besides, I can’t reach the top of the tree, so I suppose our “star” is staying there this year!

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