It was a small town Christmas

 

 Diane Davis made this tree in 1984

My sweet Mercantile

The older boys & Megan

"Village girls"

Sweet child o' mine

The tree is lit (you just can't tell... we're working on that for next year)

"Village People"

More "Village People"

All of my boys 

"Village kids"

"Village kids" are you seeing double?!?!

The 4H float

The Mercantile float


The Grand Marshall's.


The Grinch





    Last Sunday Middlebrook Village had our annual tree lighting and Christmas parade. It is always so much fun. We close down the road right in Middlebrook Village and have the parade and then we all gather in what I like to call "the square" to light the Christmas tree. The Ruritans provide cookies and hot chocolate, there are fire barrels and lots of socializing. Santa, of course, makes his appearance to let you know if you're on the naughty or nice list. 😏

    There were many participants in the Christmas parade and that makes my heart so, so happy! Our float was an old tractor that the Irvine family built together. The "Grinch" rode on our tractor, and he was awesome! Have I told you before how much I love this little village I get to call home? It really is a special place. I'm sure everyone feels that way about their hometown. This one is mine and I love it! 

    This little community is aging like so many others. The Grand Marshalls of our parade were Bill Brubeck and Lester Hughes. "Mr. Bill" as you have heard me call him is 89 years old, Lester is 79 years old. Those two have been friends for their entire adult lives (maybe longer). Lester was diagnosed with cancer a few months ago and has really had a tough go here lately. Mr. Bill is aging "gracefully". To see the two of them lead that parade in the old Middlebrook Fire Department brush truck, was a really sentimental moment. Christmas seems to bring that out in me. I can get really emotional these days. I look around at this special time of year and know how fortunate I am. It really is a magical time of year to me. 

    This year is a little bittersweet as a few people I hold near and dear to my heart are facing some really big health battles. I pray for strength for them to get through each hurdle in each of their journeys. It's so hard to feel like you can't do anything, at least for me it is. You see, I'm a fixer. I fix things (or try too at least). I don't' like to see people hurting, or suffering, or anxious. I just want everyone to be happy and healthy! I know that's not realistic, but a girl can hope! 

    As Christmas and 2024 quickly approaches, I hope you all take the time to be still and enjoy the moment and each other. I know it's not always pleasant for every family, but I hope you find some magic in the season. You can only control what you can control (even if it's only making your bed in the morning).  I'll be over here counting my blessings and trying not to think about my "problems" so much. I will celebrate the birth of Jesus and be so very grateful for the magic of the season. I have a sign in my house that says, "Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen." 💝 I'll be listening! 


Wishing you sunny skies and green pastures,

McKession

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