Little Pine Cone

Our family lived in a small town in southwest Alabama. The midsize house sat in the middle of a three-acre lot with about forty large pine trees. My job as early as I could remember was to pick up all the pine cones that fell because my dad didn't want them all cut up when he mowed the lawn.Eventually, I left home and got married. After my parents died, I inherited the old home and decided to keep it. But the pine cones continued to fall, and it was still necessary to pick them up before mowing the lawn.One day, I noticed this cute little pine cone about half the size of the others. I noticed it was perfectly formed. For some reason, I decided to take it home and put it in my den. Within a day or so, I felt the little pine cone might have a story to tell, and here it is. The little pine cone will be part of our Christmas decorations for years to come.