The diehards among you know of the Buckeye Grove just southwest of Ohio Stadium. With a tree planted for each Ohio State Football All-American, a stroll through there is a walk down memory lane.

It occurred to me last night that the Davis family has its very own Buckeye tree, as we trimmed it with the ornaments of our Buckeye lives.

It is in vogue to have a theme tree. Our theme is the story of who we are and where we have been. The ornament collection starts of course, with all the ones the kids made when they were small. Some cute, some pretty, and some so ugly only a mother could have saved them all. Add in a few that were Grandma and Grandpa's.

Then there are ones from the many places we visited as a family. Disneyworld of course, the Smithsonian, Port Head Light, Seabrook Island, a Loon from McGregor Bay in the Northland. There are Sand Dollars collected from the Atlantic and flowers from Butchart gardens on the Pacific. A fancy one from the Biltmore estate.

Our biggest collection by far however, and the most telling, is from our Buckeye memories. Our family is six adults now, with seven college degrees, five of which came from The Ohio State University. The ornaments are many and varied and reflect the richness of that experience.

There is one for Ohio State Mom, and another for Ohio State Dad. The 2002 National Championship. A 1997 Rose Bowl Win. And several Big Ten Championships. A Fiesta Bowl ornament with one-half Scarlet and Grey and the other Blue and Gold. The hand written lettering on that one says OSU 34 - ND 20. Throw in too several footballs and a miniature silver helmet with Buckeye leaves.

Many though, are fashioned from other than football. A large lighted crystal ball sparkles with a replica of University Hall inside. A hanging ceramic coaster displays a red Block O. And a gold alumni key chain was a great adaptation; it hangs beneath a light and glows with the inscription "Stay Connected". (That we have.) We will add to these again this year, this time certainly something from the Tournament of Roses.

At the base of our tree is the Polar Express ornament. Our grandson likes to pull the ribbon and listen to it say ...the true spirit of Christmas lies within your heart. That it does, and along side of that spirit lies the memories of The Ohio State University and the role it has played in who we are and all that we have. How firm thy friendship, O-HI-O.