Even though he couldn't be physically present, the individual who played a crucial role in this year's Rockefeller Center Christmas tree event managed to witness the tree lighting ceremony. On December 4th, a large crowd gathered at the annual event in New York City. Regrettably, Earl Albert, who, after the passing of his wife, donated the Norway spruce that they had planted as newlyweds, couldn't attend as he was still undergoing care following a recent stroke. Family members shared this on an episode of Today that aired on December 5th.

His Daughter-in-Law's Perspective

His daughter-in-law informed the outlet that Earl is "doing okay" and had a small "watch party" in his room. "He had his Santa hat on and my son FaceTimed with him, so he was able to be a part of it in a way," added Shawn Albert. This shows the family's efforts to keep Earl connected to the special event.

The Significance of the Tree

Earl and Leslie planted the 74-foot tree that currently stands at Rockefeller Center back in 1967. At that time, they had just tied the knot and were starting their life together at their new Massachusetts home, as reported by NBC affiliate WNBC. This tree holds a special place in their family's history and has become an integral part of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tradition.

After the Stroke

After Earl's stroke, his family initially held hope that he would recover in time to attend the ceremony himself. In a previous statement to Today, they expressed their gratitude for everyone's well wishes and thoughtful messages. They mentioned that Earl is looking forward to the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting and is working hard to be able to attend in person. This shows the family's determination and Earl's love for the event.

Michael Albert's Experience

Michael Albert, Earl's son, said that he was filled with joy to be able to witness the tree lighting in person. "It was a tribute to my mother's life. Just the giving back and the loving nature of her," he added. "It was like our way to give to the world." This highlights the emotional connection that the family has with the Christmas tree and the event.In 2020, Leslie passed away. Two days later, Erik Pauze, the head gardener at Rockefeller Center, came across the tree while walking down the road. He knew he had to take action and reached out to the family. This incident further strengthened the bond between the family and the tree. As for the family, they saw it as a sign. Shawn previously told WNBC that she loved everything about Christmas, including the tree. Earl also previously said that donating the tree was "probably one of the greatest honors of my life." This shows the deep significance that the tree holds for the family and the community.