In August 2011, wife and mother of four Barbara Hardesty of Columbus, Ohio was battling endometrial cancer and searching for something to take her mind off of cancer and chemotherapy. While pondering the months ahead, she began to think about the holidays and Christmas trees. Hardesty vowed to decorate at least 100 trees for that year’s Christmas, and ended up celebrating the holidays with 112 decorated trees in her house. The next year, with her cancer in remission, Hardesty decorated 168 trees, and this year she plans to top 200 trees.
The Hardesty home will have 207 decorated trees standing behind a white picket fence in the family room this year, each with its own theme from a sentimental tree with crocheted Christmas cards, to a whimsical tree decorated with Mr. Potato Head. Most trees are about two feet, but more than 24 are around seven feet tall. The family also gets one fresh nine foot tree every year, which is decorated with their favorite ornaments.
Hardesty, 52, comes up with almost all of the tree themes, which have included a Grinch-themed tree, one decorated with spoons from past family vacations, teddy bears, ornaments made by her children when they were young, and several candy themed trees. These sweets trees include a licorice tree, gum tree, candy cane tree, lollipop tree, a candy bar tree, and even an ice cream tree.
Even before Hardesty’s battle with cancer, she and her family always celebrated Christmas in a major way by hosting a large Christmas open house for their community members to enjoy. This year’s open house is expected to have 300 guests, who will be treated to more than 2,400 cookies.
Hardesty credits her Christmas trees for helping her get through her battle with cancer. For her, the trees bring her closer to her friends and family, and remind her that we are all capable of great things, no matter what we are going through.
To learn more about local resources that help support patients through their battle with cancer, or to find cancer treatment in Southern Nevada, contact Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada at (702) 952-3350.
