the parade

The last time we went, we were pushing a strollers. Yes... it has been that long. Once upon a time, the Christmas parade downtown was an annual event for us... but as the kids get older, we seem to be busier. (And living another 20 minutes away doesn't make it any easier) And then there are the crowds... Eric doesn't much care for them. But this year... I really wanted to go. He is such a good man...and just to make me happy, he arranged his schedule so that it would work. I must have said thank you at least ten times... because I really wanted him to know that it meant a lot to me. Especially after we had to fight traffic to get into the downtown area. And especially when he didn't turn around and head for home once he argued over a parking space with the valet guy. We did find a spot to park... only a brisk walk, not too far away. And we even had a great place to stand (wish we had grabbed a couple chairs!)
The parade? Well, I said thank you again... when there was a ten minute lull in the action. But eventually it started moving again... and the entertainment grew increasingly more enjoyable. Sometimes it doesn't matter what the entertainment is... as long as you are together with the ones you love. And it is not necessarily the amount of candy you take home... the enjoyment is often in the scrambling, and the sharing. And the very best part of the night? Always... the smiling faces and the reflection of colored lights in dancing in their eyes...