Firefighter Peter Acton and his family, this day is an emotional one. The tree grew and was felled on their land in rural New York State. "The tree was from our house. ___________________________. It was part of our house. My family has picnicked under it. We've enjoyed it so much, and now New York and the rest of the world will get to enjoy it as much as we have hopefully."

For both Peter and his 11-year-old son Seamus, the fact that agents of Rockefeller Center found the tree ___________________________. "It's tough to talk about but it's a little glimmer of hope in the healing process to bring my family a little bit closer and hopefully bring New York and the rest of world a little closer too."

"We donated and like it's a gift from us to the city. I just feel relieved that it's over with and no more people have to come to our house cause they made a mess so by struggling to get back to being a regular person." A comment true both to the joyful spirit of the upcoming Christmas season, and what for many will be ___________________________.

(1)It was growing there for over 70 years
(2)on September 11th, 2010 is also highly significant
(3)its inevitable exhausted aftermath