This was fun, a parade of 15 floats decorated with twinkly lights, and Van Horn's premier holiday event. Even though the Lions Club float won the contest, my favorite was the float with the creche (the kids playing Mary, Joseph and the three wisemen were all decked out with twinkly lights!) and the American flag (also in twinklies!). A year ago, I was in Chicago at a boring higher education development conference. The windchill must have been a gazillion degrees below zero and SO VERY COLD in the way only Chicagoans can understand. I ducked into a Virgin Records on North Michigan Avenue to warm up painfully numb thighs. (Every other part of me had more than one layer of insulation; I'd forgotten to bring my long underwear to the BIG CITY.) I bought a "Christmas with the Brat Pack" CD while I was thawing out. North Michigan Avenue was all lit up for the holidays, and as beautiful as ever. The sidewalks were packed. Even with the windchill as low as it was, the shoppers all trying to get someplace FAST.
This month, I've been playing that CD, marveling that I actually like Dean Martin's singing, and comparing last year's holiday to this one. Wow, what an incredible change. I'm warmer, happier, and enjoying my work far more than last year. I'm busy, but the pace of life is more comfortable. The sidewalks aren't crowded, either. I miss you all terribly, and am so very grateful for your emails, calls, library donations, encouragement and pep talks. I hope to make it back home to see you soon.
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