We live in a small town [population-wise] that has a thriving entertainment industry. There is a little quirk here that has never manifested in any of the other places we have lived. And that quirk is… Early-Onset Christmas. You see, tonight is October 31, HALLOWEEN! We have had all our friends and their kids over at our house and neighborhood the last couple of years. We all have dinner and then take the gang Trick-or-Treating. Tonight, one of our close friends whom we were walking with was talking about putting up her Christmas tree… TOMORROW!
You have to understand, that around here, this phenomenon is quite normal and indeed ingrained into the locals from birth. The reason for this [I hypothesize] is that all of the theaters in this town begin their Christmas shows on November 1. I have never heard anyone talking about Thanksgiving as the next Holiday, nor is Thanksgiving ever mentioned in any of the post-October shows I have seen. It is not just the local families, though that suffer from early-onset Christmas, however. It is also the town. Tomorrow [if they haven't started already] the city workers will begin putting up the Christmas stars on the lamp posts. In a few days [if they haven't started already] they will begin erecting the community Christmas light display. It's just what people who live around here are used to.
Tonight I paused and watched my oldest boy run from house to house… happy, joyful. I didn't just passingly notice him. I actively watched him in the cool, fall air of a perfect October evening; Arms thrown back, hair bouncing with each stride, smile plastered on his face, laughs and squeals, racing and jostling with his friends. "Look in my bucket, Daddy," he says. And I do. He is so excited. It is one of those perfect moments. Maybe he doesn't realize it, but in the cool October night air, among the rhythmic swaying of glow-sticks and flashlights… I do.
About Me
- Rich
- I like orange Tic-Tacs and will devour an entire package in a matter of minutes. I am the husband to a fantabulous woman and a daddy to two amazing boys. I am also a professor, artist and designer.
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4 comments:
Well written. I noticed they put up the Christmas tree at the Landing about 2 weeks ago! Last night was perfect, I loved hearing the dry leaves swish across the ground, and the children's voices giggling and shouting to each other. Perfect.
I love you!
Ahhh, I love you too, man.
What a great post.
I hate the rush. Savor the moment.
Apparently the Early-Onset-Christmas phenomenon has spread abroad and found another willing home in PE, South Africa.
On the way to the post office about a MONTH ago, I drove past a well-to-do home. And behold, Christmas lights up, angel cut outs poised with trumpets in hand and Happy Holidays streaming across the front gate. Baby Jesus already in the manger of the Nativity scene. And that was just the beginning, Christmas is popping up everywhere.
Perhaps South Africans have a better excuse, they have no reason to wait til after Thanksgiving. Yes, surprisingly they dont celebrate that here... hmmm.
But I just want to say thank you to ALL the art professors and the art club! How great! The Lord has been continuing to provide, and shower blessing upon blessing along the way.
Please pray about the safety. This evening I ran to the corner to buy electricity, (almost out), funny this country... but, was gone maybe 20 minutes. While I was away my house again had an attempted break-in. Its unnerving at times to live alone. Thank you for the prayers.
Enjoy the weekend.
Brooke
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