The House without a Christmas Tree

A few years ago at Thanksgiving, I remembered watching a movie on TV as a child that I absolutely loved. I remember the somewhat feisty young girl character stuffing mashed potatoes into a cousin's pocket at their dinner. There was also a Christmas movie about the same girl that was great. I really wanted to find both movies, but I never did. I just couldn't remember.

Fast forward to today. Thomas and I went to the library so I could get the book A Door in the Wall by Marguerite De Angeli and a bunch of books for a Christmas unit I'm going to do next week. Somehow, as I was looking for a specific book, I happened to see a book entitled The House without a Christmas Tree. The lightbulb went on over my head. I pulled the book and almost cried -- a childhood favorite found again.

We came home, finished school, ate dinner and finally I had a moment. I grabbed the book, read it, and bawled like a baby. Not only was it a wonderful story, but it took me back to my childhood. I remember watching those movies. I remember hoping they'd come on TV year after year. It just warmed my heart.

As I was crying, Thomas came up to me and said, "I don't want to read it now because you're crying. Who died?" I was shocked and reminded him that people cry happy tears sometimes. Then it hit me. The book took me away from what has been on my mind, our Thanksgiving loss. No wonder Thomas thought someone died. Sigh.

If you've never seen the movie or read the book, I highly recommend The House without a Christmas Tree by Gail Rock. I will be heading back to the library to get The Thanksgiving Treasure as well. I am anxious to relive that mashed potato scene!

I wish they would play these movies on TV again. I would love Thomas to see them.

I was going to have Thomas read the book, but I decided that this is so fun, and such a happy memory for me, that I'll read it aloud to him.