"Jerome loaded his sled
full of his favorite words
and headed to the downtown park.
He put a call out
to everyone to join
him in decorating
a tree with words.
A holiday tree.
Ekko barked excitedly."
Jerome is back! I'm so happy to see him again. I met him first (as we all did) in 2018 when he started collecting all those words he loved. Now, he and his rescue Ekko are keen to begin collecting words for the holidays - words that reflect the peace, hope, and joy of the season. He wants to gift the words he collects to all those who have special meaning in his life.
His upbeat mood soon turns somber as they walk together. The words he is seeing along their path give him no pleasure: buy, sale, no parking, cheap stuff, no dogs allowed. It immediately changes how the two are feeling about the task at hand.
"These were not holiday words.
They did not warm his heart.
These words left Jerome feeling cold."
There is nothing to add to his already empty notebook. Even listening to the words people around him share make him feel uncomfortable and sad. Wanting more, an idea sparks action. Can he find the words that will make everyone feel festive and joyous?
Racing back to look through his original collection, Jerome finds exactly what he is looking for. His sled is loaded as he heads to the park. Once there, he invites all park-goers to join him in decorating a tree with 'joyful words'. Community friends and neighbors gather to fill that tree and share wishes for a happy holiday season. It's the most memorable way to bring friends together.
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