The Traumatized Tree

Chase holding his cousin, Kayden
Nov. 2010

This is Chase, my second son. He is three years younger than Cody (my son with disabilities), but took on the older brother role early in life. Chase was my easiest child (with the exception of having colic during his first three months). He was obedient, happy, kind and anxious to please. Chase was four years old when I was pregnant with Casey, son number three. I had morning sickness around the clock and Chase would entertain himself by playing Legos, putting together puzzles, coloring, and watching Sesame Street or Pee Wee's Playhouse (I know. I know.) Yep. He was pretty much my angel child.....except for one incident that occurred when he was around six years old.

The month was December, and Don and I had taken the boys to one of many Christmas Tree Farms in Oregon. That year we picked out a Noble Fir and even paid extra money to have it flocked. Sometime, after we decorated the tree but before Christmas, I was persuaded to have a Tupperware Party at my house. I remember afterward, as we were cleaning up, my husband walked into the room, stood right in front of the beautiful, decorated Christmas tree and preceded to make conversation with me and the Tupperware lady. Out of nowhere, Chase walked up to his dad as if he wanted to ask him something, and pushed him! Don was caught completely off guard. He lost his balance and fell backward into the tree. Ornaments and flocked snow went flying everywhere. We were flabbergasted to say the least! (Don was also mad as hell.)

To this day, Chase cannot give us an answer as to why he pushed his dad into the tree. Our angel child was temporarily possessed :) I do wish we would've had it on film. In those days, I could have sent it to America's Funniest Home Videos. I'm sure Bob Sagget would have loved narrating that moment in time.