Growing up in our nation’s heartland of Indiana, the holiday season sparked images straight out of a Currier and Ives painting. Well…... so we hoped and dreamed. Such images of snow covered pastures and housetops routinely fueled the excitement of the season. Yes, there were times when such visions really did become a reality. And though it made for some inconveniences, the little bit of child in all of us would take over as we would stand in awe of Mother Nature’s artistry. Out would come the buckle boots and hand knitted toboggans, as we would run to “wallow” in this magic.
(Currier and Ives image [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons)
Much like the Currier and Ives paintings portray, we adorned our homes with seasonal embellishments of greenery, lights, and decorative ornaments. After all, this is tradition. This is what make us who we are. Anything contrary to this might not seem “correct”. We are, indeed, creatures of habit. Each of our lives being a living file of those lives and experiences which have crossed ours.
This week, I had the good fortune to visit a dear family in Ojai, California. They are clients who have become great friends. There is a little inn there called, “The Emerald Iguana”, where I decided to stay a few nights. ---a most charming place.
Having arrived late in the evening, I did not make note of any holiday charm. Arriving in California felt like I had skipped the entire winter season and miraculously landed in spring. All thoughts of Christmas had simply evaporated as I walked by the blooming birds of paradise, roses, and cyclamens.
The following morning, my eyes were instantly intrigued to find the inn’s mascot adorned with a tiara of gold ribbon and baubles hanging from the office’s entrance. As I drove on to my first meeting of the day, I soon discovered the entire town had adorned itself in holiday flair. The excitement of the season rebounded as I drove past store windows flocked with spray-on snow and red ribbons. Although the possibility of snow blanketed lawns may be quite slim in this portion of our country, holiday cheer was ever present, as Christmas is truly a holiday of the heart. A time to be thankful for family, friends and our many blessings—great and small.
As the gorgeous palm trees rustled in the wind, framing the rocky mountains of California, one could nearly hear the sleigh bells ring.
This was a Moment in America.
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