Lighted Christmas Parade, Decorations

Beth and I met at my Dad's this afternoon to go through Christmas decorations and put some up for my Dad. This was very hard. Much harder than I anticipated, but so worth it. We looked at every decoration before we put it up, trying so hard to figure out what my Mom had done with it in the past, and what she would have done with it if she were putting it up now. We tried our best, and I must say I was very pleased with the finished product. We didn't do near the job she would have done...but we tried, and that in itself I know would make her happy.

The lighted Christmas parade is something I've NEVER done without my mom. We have the most amazing memory from a few years ago of all of us heading up to the parade in cold and snow, hot drinks in hand, braving the elements just to see the look on Jack's and Ryan's faces of the Christmas lights and Santa. In fact, we have the most amazing picture of my mom and dad that night...I really need to find it and post it because it's absolutely beautiful. Tonight we still gathered for the lighted parade. My Dad, myself, and Jack sat on the curb in the freezing weather and wind and enjoyed the parade just like we normally would. Fortunately we were able to immediately head inside to Andrea and Justin's house to warm up with Beth, Adam, and Almira, and the rest of the Hodgins' Clan. THANKS!!! It was a good night. I'm glad that we continue to do the things that my Mom would be doing if she were still here. Every tradition this Christmas will be so painful without her, but at the same time, I don't want to skip a beat. She wouldn't want us to be sitting at home pouting, so I refuse to do so.

Beth found the pictures.

Just Beautiful!