It has been a joy to keep a blog for several years now because it helps me realize traditions that come with each season. Nights in November and December are dark, cool, and sometimes windy, but that doesn’t keep my family from walking after dark. There is a magic that happens walking together in the dark. Conversations flow. The world seems different and in our community many neighbors put up lights. The lights become an excuse to walk after dark. No idling engines: we walk.
The other night we walked to a new light experience at Lake Washington. Each winter the Argosy has a Christmas boat that then is followed by a parade of other boats lit up with lights of all colors and designs. The Christmas boat stops at certain points along the lake and sings to the crowds both aboard the boat and also onshore. This year we went to the Ferdinand Park about 1.5 walk from our home. As we got to the lake luminaria- candles in paper bags adorned the path for as far as the eye could see. There was the bonfire, myriads of neighbors- most who had arrived on foot. Enjoying the night out together. This type of community gathering brings out all ages. A grand celebration of lights and singing.
We all finished the caroling with a grand Jingle Bells and then walked home, making a special effort to pass the blocks with the most Holiday lights. What made this year extra grand was walking with grandparents and our neighbors. Each family had equipped our children with light sticks or blinking snowflakes so that they could be seen in the dark and together we wandered the many blocks with nary a complaint and many a good conversation.