10 Years of Carols

I couldn't let the week go by without reminicsing on the 10th annual Christmas Caroling Party. It's so hard to beleive that it's been ten years since Ginabop first came up with this exquisite idea as an extension of her own family's Christmas tradition to celebrate the season on the first Saturday of the month. At first we all thought she was certifiably crazy when she came home with Carolling Sheets printed at Kinkos and proclaimed that everyone must bring a home made ornament. But now, after years of caroling in shorts, in down coats, to folks who bring out the kids to folks who shut their drapes when they see us coming, in two different neighborhoods ... and for the first time this year, caroled to a car who stopped to hear us... we have learned to love those same original caroling sheets and now excited voices shouting , "What number next!?" start from the moment we cease singing "We wish you a Merry Christmas..." as we walk away from each house.

I beleive that this year will go down as the "One where we Carolled the Car" or "The One with the best Food" thanks to new roommates adding their dishes (mmmm Salmon Ceviche) to those of old roommates (mmmm Coconut Pufs, Black Bean Salsa and Fudge) "The One where we rolled up the carpet and Salsa Danced." We were so blessed to have new Roommates Friends as well as the Friends and Boyfriends of the girls of the house in OC (Old Coppell, Jessica Doman et al.) I truly thought I was seeing a ghost of Christmas past when I spied Greg Calpaigan leaning against a wall sipping a beer. I literally had to blink and shake my head. He's back in town as a Lawyer! The Rossini's blessed us with their sparkles and Fe and I discovered that we have ever more in common with them including an admiration for interesting barware. The 1202 Addington girls brought the photographers in the Crumm sisters who captured 10 minute video clips of Salsa dancing as well as Irving ISD representatives and their handsome UD classmates. Mary Belew stole the night with her adorable 6 year old twin boys and 4 year old daughter who looks just like her!

The years have brought many changes... from the romances which have and continue to bloom, to the Neids children who have literally grown up coming to every Caroling party to the Spirits of all who have come for many years and now God has called to other cities who come drifting back in with us and hover around us as we Carol and drink some good cheer... I am reminded that this is what celebrating our Community life and celebrating the birth of little Lord Jesus is all a bout. Sparks of light that float and bob in the night and bring joy, cheer and good will to each other and to our neighbors....