Neighbors Work Together to Help 88-Year-Old Man’s Christmas Dream Come True
This is what Christmas is all about. Neighbors who worked together to help an 88-year-old man’s Christmas dream come true. Arbor Day Are you old enough to remember this? When…
This is what Christmas is all about. Neighbors who worked together to help an 88-year-old man's Christmas dream come true.
Arbor Day
Are you old enough to remember this? When I was in grade school, we got little trees, or saplings, every Arbor Day. There was only one that ended up getting planted correctly in our yard and grew into what looked to me like a Christmas tree. I couldn't wait to cut that thing down and put it in our house for Christmas. I was so proud of it. But it never happened. It eventually grew and grew and grew and became much too large to be our Christmas tree.
Of all the saplings my sisters and I brought home on Arbor Days over the years, that is the only one that took. My sisters and I moved from that house one by one, and eventually, my parents moved from "the house that built me," but I'm reminded of that tree by a similar story that recently happened in Ohio ...
Christmas dream
In the town of Mentor on the Lake, Ohio, lives an 88-year-old man named Gene who, like my dad, planted the tree his child brought home on Arbor Day some four decades ago. Like our tree, this one took and grew and grew and grew. For years Gene dreamed of decorating the tree for Christmas, but just never got around to it. But this year, his dream came to fruition with the help of donations and support from the community. What happened after that was an emotional and memorable moment as the tree was lit for the first time.
According to Mentor-on-the-Lake Police Department,
On Friday, 11/24/23, Mentor on the Lake resident of 70 years, Gene, was surprised by family members and members of the community. Gene is 88 years of age and planted a sapling 40 years ago at his residence on Thunderbird Drive.
The community took up donations for lights, and for the first time ever the tree was decorated and lit. Gene, undoubtedly, was overwhelmed when he saw the tree - but so were his friends, family, and neighbors because this is what the Christmas dream is made of.
GALLERY: 25 Of Country Music’s Best Christmas Songs
Here are our 25 favorite country music Christmas songs. We’ve included some newer ones, so hopefully you’ll find some new favorites for your next holiday gathering!
25. “The Christmas Guest” - (1987) Reba McEntire - Merry Christmas To You
MCAThis song was written by Grand Ole Opry star Grandpa Jones and was a fan favorite on Reba’s very first Christmas album.
24. “Feliz Navidad” - (2016) Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood (2016) - Christmas Together
Garth BrooksA Christmas song written and recorded in 1970 by Puerto Rican singer/songwriter José Feliciano. Garth and Trisha sang the song together at Disney Park’s Christmas celebration in 2016.
23. “Glow” – (2021) Kelly Clarkson with Chris Stapleton - When Christmas Comes Around…
AtlanticIt’s a brand new gem from Kelly’s newest Christmas album. Stapleton previously co-wrote a song for Clarkson with Justin Timberlake called “Born To Die” on the soundtrack to the feature film ‘Trolls World Tour.’
22. “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” (2007) Martina McBride - White Christmas (2007 Reissue)
RCAA classic done to perfection. This was on Martina’s second reissue of her 1998 White Christmas album. She kept adding more songs with each reissue.
21. “Santa Looked a Lot Like Daddy” (2006) Brad Paisley - Brad Paisley Christmas
AristaA song originally record in 1965 by Buck Owens. A true classic that has been done by Garth Brooks, Travis Tritt and even the cast of Duck Dynasty. Paisley, who was a friend of Buck for years before he died in 2006, does it best.
20. “Frosty the Snowman” (1986) George Strait - Merry Christmas Strait to You
MCAGeorge’s first Christmas album, this classic is pure Strait, a fun version of a song we all know the words to, thanks to Gene Autry.
19. “Run, Run Rudolph” (2008) Luke Bryan
UMGLuke’s take on the Chuck Berry classic. Luke is one country star who has yet to do a whole Christmas album.
18. “Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree (feat. Camila Cabello)” Kacey Musgraves (2019) - The Kacey Musgraves Christmas Show
Amazon / UMGA solid version of one of the best Christmas songs of all time. Kacey performed it with Camila on her Amazon holiday TV special.
17. “Winter Wonderland” (2012) Blake Shelton - Cheers, It's Christmas
WBThis song has been covered by so many country stars, but Blake’s is one of the best. Shelton reissued this album in 2017.
16. “O Holy Night” (1998) Martina McBride - White Christmas
RCAOf all the versions of this song, Martina McBride’s 1998 version is still the very best. Which is saying something: the song has been around since 1847.
15. “Mary, Did You Know?” (2020) Dolly Parton – A Holly Dolly Christmas
Dolly RecordsThis was the song Dolly released before the album and her version is so touching. The whole album is nominated for a Grammy at the upcoming 2022 show in January.
14. “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” (2016) Chris Young - It Must Be Christmas
SonyChris Young loves Christmas and a holiday album was on his wish list from the beginning of his career. In 2016, his wish came true and this is the highlight of the project.
13. “Baby It's Cold Outside (feat. Ronnie Dunn)” (2013) Kelly Clarkson - Wrapped In Red
AtlanticKelly’s version with Ronnie Dunn rises to the top as their voices sound so natural together.
12. “The Christmas Song” (1987) Reba McEntire - Merry Christmas To You
MCAYeah, it’s that familiar song and Reba does it better than anyone.
11. “Little Drummer Boy (feat. Isaiah Fisher)” (2020) Carrie Underwood - My Gift
UMGThis song will make anyone smile and hearing Carrie’s young son sing with his mom is just adorable.
10. “Little Saint Nick” (2012) Lady A - On This Winter's Night (Deluxe Version)
UMGCharles Kelley’s singing of this classic Beach Boys Christmas song is infectious. It even holds up to the original.
9. “It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” (2016) Brett Eldredge - Glow
WBThis is only Brett’s third album and timed just right to show everyone just who is “Mr. Christmas” in country music. All the songs on this amazing album are great.
8. “Hell of a Holiday” (2021) Pistol Annies - Hell of a Holiday
RCAThe title track of this brand-new album from the Pistol Annies. This original song might just be a future holiday standard.
7. “Baby, It's Cold Outside (feat. Meghan Trainor)” (2016) Brett Eldredge - Glow
WBYes, we already included a version of this song by Kelly Clarkson and Ronnie Dunn, but Brett and Meghan Trainor’s version is just magical. It would have made Dean Martin proud.
6. “You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” (2014) Darius Rucker - Home For the Holidays
CapitolA fun song and one that is rarely covered. Darius said when the album came out, "I am so excited to finally make a Christmas album. This has been a lifelong dream, and I hope my fans enjoy listening as much as I enjoyed making it."
5. “A Holly Jolly Christmas” (2012) Lady A - On This Winter's Night
UMGOne of my all-time favorite Christmas songs and Lady A’s version of the song is one I put on repeat. Hillary Scott sings with such fun and excitement in her voice on their version. It’s a mood lifter for sure.
4. “I'll Be Your Santa Tonight” (2019) Keith Urban
UMGKeith Urban needs to do a holiday album if all the songs on it will be as good as this Christmas single he released in 2019.
3. “A Christmas to Remember” (1984) Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers - Once Upon a Christmas
RCAAn original song written by Dolly that has become a true classic.
2. “Hallelujah” (2020) Carrie Underwood & John Legend - My Gift
UMGThis song is sung so very beautifully and so was the video that Carrie and John Legend filmed during 2020. The video won a 2021 CMT Music Award.
1. ”You Make It Feel Like Christmas (feat. Blake Shelton)” (2017) Gwen Stefani -You Make It Feel Like Christmas
InterscopeYou can say Gwen isn’t country but with her husband Blake Shelton she has charted two number one country songs. Their voices together and the song’s sweet message are all number one material.
