Christmas Joy

Tonight, we attended our town's Christmas Parade. It was a very special time for us as a family.

We are so blessed to live in a rural community where families come together and enjoy old fashion things like a town parade.

The main street was decorated in lights and lined with with smiling faces of neighbors that you see in the local supermarket or local cafe. People greeting each other warmly even if they do not know your name. Children laughing and running up and down the sidewalks.

The air was crisp and cool, filled with anticipation of the parade as the band began to approach. Then you hear some of the children yell and giggle: " Here it comes! Here comes the parade!"

Horse drawn carriages with bright Christmas lights pass. Children shouting with joy because the riders are tossing candy to them. The the floats from local businesses go pass and ooh's and aah's are heard from the crowd. Last but not least, is the ending float with Santa Claus! Every kid clapping their hands and pointing.

It was a good parade; but it was not there that I found my joy so much. It was in the visitors I had after the parade!

I was blessed to have most of my grandchildren come to my house after the parade. Here we had chili, hot chocolate and cookies. The children decorated my Christmas tree and it was so sweet to hear them working together and enjoying each others' company.

My heart delighted in their conversations with each other and the laughter that filled my house for those few hours. I truly understand why a merry heart is like medicine. The laughter of each of them made me think back to when our children (their parents) were young and how they would become excited about this Season.

I want to thank the parents for making the trip for the parade and to our home. They brought to me the first true gift of Christmas: the laughter and love of children! The laughter of the grandchildren was definitely God given medicine to my old bones.