Light-Up Night

Picture this:

In the town square, a brass band plays Christmas carols. The mayor of a small community makes a speech. Crowds gather, hot chocolate and cookies in hand, singing along, exchanging conversations with neighbors. At the push of a button by a tiny girl in ringlets, a 20' tree comes brilliantly to life with oversized twinkle lights. A fire truck with wailing siren brings the man of the hour - Santa. Children run and squeal, bells ring.

Sound like something out of a holiday book? Nope. Just Light-Up Night in Hellertown. Gotta love this town. The band, a group from the high school, was fabulous. The horns echoed and resounded in the crisp air. The weather? Perfect. Like a postcard. Starry sky, enough cool to feel winter, but not cold enough to make anyone shiver. Nicky took turns on my shoulders and Daddy's, conducting the band with sweeping gestures (that they didn't see - we were behind them...) and singing along at the top of his lungs. His face and body language just exuded pure joy. Kai chatted with the steady procession of friends who appeared out of nowhere, as they do at every community event. Her band teacher (the real conductor) saw her as he was leaving and said "We needed a French Horn! She could have done it, too - really! She's good enough!" This extravagant praise naturally left her beaming for the rest of the night.

We waited in line to see Santa for the all important picture and present request. It's funny that the line winds through the police station. Can you imagine letting kids line up to see Santa in a city police station? So we don't hold up the line, we always tell the kids to ask for ONE thing, so they requested their top gifts, smiled for the camera (thankfully, we paid for a pro shot that will be mailed, cause my pictures were ghastly), and got a present from Santa. They were thrilled to discover they got markers, paper, crayons, and candy. How cool is that?

I've said it before, and I know I'll say it again. This town ROCKS.