Wednesday and Thursday night I took the bus home from work. Both nights it was well after 5:00PM and darkness had fallen.
It was as if I were in a different town. The streets were unrecognizable to me. I was surprised by every stop and every turn on the roads.
But I was equally delighted by all the Christmas lights. Street after street, house after house, all bedecked for the season.
I understood, as never before, the power of the lights, white or bright, that pierced the darkness and lifted my heart. I should blog about this, I thought.
Then came Friday and the heartbreak in Newtown, Connecticut.
Like all of you I was drowned in grief. And my heart was heavy with sadness. The holiday season seemed almost unnecessary and reasons for gratitude far far away.
Then I remembered my bus rides. Today GG and I decorated the outside of our house.
We wrapped garland with lights and hung it around the door. We covered a tree shaped topiary form with roping and strung it with more lights.
For the coup de coeur, we covered our table with 150 lights woven in a net and anchored the 'table cloth" with a large terra cotta vase of greenery.
Neighbors stopped by to pet the dog, laugh at the kittens and bask in the light.
If we can bring some joy into the heart of a neighbor walking by or a bus driving down Columbia Pike the electric bill will be worth it.
Comfort and Joy. Bring it on.
We need a little Christmas now.
xo Jane
