Who would have thought a tree could change your life?

“It’s been amazing. Now that it’s ending, it’s sad because we’ve had non-stop people here since October,” Shawn Albert said.

Thanks to the Albert family’s generosity, we all got to share a beautiful holiday journey.

From the tree cutting to the tree lighting, Shawn said the best part of it all is the connection she’s made with you.

“We never realized the magnitude and the things that surrounded it and how much it meant to people,” Michael said.

Hundreds of people even mailed Christmas cards to the man who made this possible, Earl.
Earl donated his 74-foot Norway Spruce to Rockefeller Center, but he missed some of the biggest moments because he suffered a stroke. To lift his spirits as he recovers, the family has been asking for Christmas cards.

That request was well answered!

“Oh my, God. He cries! He cries at everyone [Christmas card]. It is so awesome. It is the most touching thing. He can’t believe that he’s impacted so many people,” Shawn said.

“It’s made us feel connected to people and the world again,” Michael said.

What means the most to Michael is the recognition his late mother is receiving.

“My mother’s kindness reaches out to so many different people.”

The Christmas tree was only a few feet tall when Earl bought it for his wife, Leslie in 1967. The entire Albert family dedicates this once-in-a-lifetime experience to Mom. Without her, this would not happen.

“She always was so kind and so loving and so giving. That’s just the way I grew up,” Michael said.

Just like a star atop the Christmas tree, Earl and Leslie shine bright.

The family is still requesting cards. You can send them to:

Earl Albert, P.O. Box 109, West Stockbridge, MA 01266