You know the way your dog perks up its ears and cocks its head to the side when you say, “car ride?” Well, that’s the look three of my favourite people made at the Sunday dinner table last week when I suggested we go for a post-dinner car ride around town in search of the best Christmas lights.
The darkness of the December night extended before us, with sudden discoveries of beautiful Christmas lights dispersed along the countryside and into the neighbourhoods through which we travelled. This was my kind of treasure hunt.
My passengers included my two teenagers and one seriously excited senior citizen: my co-pilot, auntie Dee Dee. Nobody loves a car ride more than she does. She requires very little to be happy. This is good, because all I have to give her is little pockets of my time. That’s enough, she insists. On this night, she is grateful just to be a passenger along for the ride.
Some traditions never get old. As we weaved through neighbourhoods, Dee Dee reminisced about her childhood in Toronto, and how her father would drive her and my mother into the richer neighbourhoods of the city to see how the fancy homes set out spectacular holiday displays. She was in awe of those big homes with so many lights. Her amazement is no different on this night; she notices everything. Dee Dee is proof you should always have the wonder of a child, especially at Christmas. My teenagers pretended to be too cool for that – until we pulled up to the Grinch’s house on Wilson Court in Elora. Oh boy, you want to see teens turn to tots in a hurry? Pull up there. Hilarious.
We covered many neighbourhoods, marvelling at the beautiful homes, the pretty lights, the creative displays. But the highlight of the night was a display in Fergus, where the homeowners had a Nativity scene surrounded by modern figures of Christmas characters, like Santa. Dee Dee loved the spectacle. I pulled over and she rolled her window down to get a better view. But in her excitement Dee Dee got confused and, pointing at baby Jesus, she exclaimed, “Look, it’s Jerry!”
The kids and I peered out the window, surveying the scene. There was Mary and Joseph, baby Jesus, some nutcrackers, and even a Minion, but who was Jerry?
“Do you mean baby Jesus?” the girl teen asked. Awkward pause. And then we all burst out laughing, because even Jesus would appreciate the fun we were having together. It was a poignant reminder that Christmas isn’t about stuff; it’s about making memories. I’m going to hold on to that one. My kids will too.
Stop and look at the lights with your co-pilots this holiday. You’ll appreciate the view more when you make time for those who appreciate just being with you. Give. Receive. It’s all good.