The Christmas Parade

On a day like today, I can honestly say that our town seems to be the equivalent of Mayberry or Bedford Falls. And there is not a thing wrong with that.

Along with friends from our road here, we drove into town for the annual Christmas parade and the lighting of the Christmas trees that stand in front of the court house.  The day was very warm, the evening was balmy, and it was just the perfect weather for watching the high school band, the floats, the groups of marching kids and adults..... and just being a part of practically the entire town standing along the sidewalks and enjoying Christmas. (Notice I didn't say 'holiday.'  In this town, it's Christmas all the way.)

There were big floats covered in lights, Nativity scenes with live sheep and calves, kids dressed up as Mary and Joseph, angels and shepherds. The high school band, the cheerleaders, the dance groups, the Boy Scouts, the karate classes, the local animal rescue organizations, all of the town's church groups.... everyone was in tonight's parade, waving to the crowds, tossing out candy to the kids.... it was just great. At the end of the parade, Santa was riding high on a fire engine, smiling and waving to the kids, and stopping along the way so everyone could take photos.

With the music and the colored lights, the stores trimmed up in Christmas decorations, the kids singing the Christmas carols and yelling out "Merry Christmas!"... the streets of this town were just dripping with magic and kindness and friendship and a sense of community. It was all just so nice, so very nice.

If I could wish one thing for the rest of the country at this time of the year.... I would wish for everyone a sense of this small-town innocence, acceptance, and tolerance that just soaks this community in a blanket of goodness that lasts all year long.

Be nice to one another. Be kind. Be tolerant. Be accepting. If only for the sake of your children and your grandchildren and the legacy of your family... just be nice.