Holiday Lights

When I was a child, the lights strung on houses and businesses in my little town were some of my favorite events of the holiday season. My father was a teacher, and one of my first memories is driving the eight miles from our home in the woods to ‘town’ for his school’s holiday concert. I sat in the back seat, my forehead pressed against the cold window and searched for lights. Each display, no matter how modest, filled me with joy. The lights on those dark December nights made everything shiny, special. The dreariness of short days were no match for the sparkle of a dime store package of lights.

My love affair with holiday lights has not diminished. In my new neighborhood, lights are hung with wild abandon. The more the better. My new husband spent this cold afternoon, fighting hail, to hang our lights. They’re flashing outside my office window as I write this. Later, a kid’s face will press against a cold window, taking in each display with a joyous heart.

Last evening, after I dropped Ella at a party, I drove over to one of my favorite little towns, and looked at the lights decorating the park and businesses. The delight I felt as a kid has not changed. I found myself snapping photos on my phone, until my hands grew too cold to push the button. My photos did not do the beauty of the displays justice, but a few I found on Pinterest sure do. I’ve included some of them here. I would love to see some from your town! Send them over, and I’ll post them on my Facebook page.

Wishing you joy in the next few weeks. Remember to look up and see the lights, despite the stress this time of year can bring.