Festivities in the Village

People came from near and far. We had missed

that small town feeling.  They hurried to

the village square to view the festivities of the

tree lighting.  Firetrucks galore, some antique,

some big, some small.  Each with unique sirens

and horns and all decorated with lights.  Some

with Santa and his helpers aboard.  It was the feeling

of small-town America celebrating traditions.

Earlier in the day we enjoyed shopping in small

shops on Main Street.  We had been viewing the

preparations all week long.  First came live fir trees

on Main Street.  Later decorated with lights.

The big tree lighting ceremony in the village square.

As a child, I was mesmerized by visions of Santa on

his sleigh pulled by reindeer.  To my surprise, there

was Santa above the streetlights and rooftops! 

Magically, Santa appeared to cross over the street

above us!  As we shopped and paused to rest our

feet, there were benches galore on the sidewalk.

Our daughter had invited us to celebrate Thanksgiving

with her.  For the first time ever, we enjoyed the

tree lighting ceremony, singers, and parade of area

firetrucks.  The parade wound down Main Street and

then past the library.  Each truck had its own unique

sound.  There was a chill in the air, so we bundled up

to view the parade and tree lighting.  At home in

Upstate New York, there is an ice-skating rink near

our big tree.  The village square where our daughter lives

brought back a flood of memories of my childhood

in Massachusetts.  My heart prefers life in a small,

rural setting so I get nostalgic when I am reminded

of that childhood.  My daughter had enjoyed her

year spent in a tiny German village where neighbors

came out to celebrate holidays.  Life is good in hamlets

and villages.  For me, home is where the heart is.

Happy December festivities to all!  Enjoy the moment!