More     1     50 years ago, my dad planted an evergreen tree. He watered it and cared for it. A few     2     (year) later, when it grew to about 3 feet tall, he placed its first set of Christmas lights on it. Thus our tradition began. Every Christmas ever since, this tree has lit up our neighborhood corner.

Dad     3    (pass) away in November 1991. With all the emotions of his passing, Thanksgiving came and went. When the topic of the tree     4    (bring) up, Mom said,“Not this year.”But my brother, sister and I said,“Dad would want it to be done,”so the     5    (follow) weekend, we decorated the tree together     6    memory of him.

The tree now stands about 40 feet tall, and we have to use a beautiful cherry lift.    7    (put) the top lights on. We turn the lights on the evening after Thanksgiving,     8    send out light each night until New Year's Day. People drive by slowly, taking pictures or simply     9    (enjoy) its beauty. Then in spring we pack the lights     10    (safe) away for the next year.