My Beloved Sister and I drove to IP for their annual Christmas Pizza party. As you all know it is my favorite place to be, and neither of us wanted to miss it.
I have to admit, as joyful as the participants are on a regular day pales in comparison to how much sheer joy there was today. After the pizza lunch, there was a volunteer who led Christmas songs. At first she was just wandering through the tables, having the participants sing a couple of bars of a song in to a mic. Before it was over they had all gathered in the front of the room to sing a couple of songs. Even "A", who is profoundly deaf and mute was with them "singing" and dancing with everything he had in him. There was a time of two when I felt myself tearing up with extremely happy tears.
After MBS and I were back at my house, we talked for a few minutes, before she went to her house. Once alone I began the process of rearranging the lights on the porch Christmas trees. These are nothing but maybe 4 1/2 foot trees with white lights and a bow on top, that flank either side of the front door. I really do like them but they were in need of a boatload of little help. So I helped them become happy little trees instead of the sad sack looking ones that they were. (TheHub had taken them out of the basement, plugged them in without fluffing them or checking to see if the bows looked wonky, they did!)
After tearing up my hands removing the lights, restringing them, and putting pretty new bows, the trees look so much better. Worth it? Probably only to me, but it is part of my personal Merry Christmas.
After a quick meal of chicken, spinach and new potatoes, we watched a little TV, then headed to bed.We planned what we hope will be a fun day Friday.
Sounds like everyone had a lovely Christmas pizza party and your porch trees probably look absolutely wonderful. :)
ReplyDeleteMy outdoor decorations are minimal, but enough for me. I have curtainless floor windows across the front of the house, so the living room, foyer and dining room lights shine through and everyone passing by can see.
DeleteIf you weren't in the Christmas spirit before, the holiday pizza party would certainly put you there. I would have right there tearing up with you if I had attended.
ReplyDeleteIt was hard for me to keep the tears in my eyes instead of rolling down my cheeks!
DeleteIt is amazing what fluffing can do for a Christmas tree. They look so much better and fuller afterwards. The Christmas party sounds like so much fun. Sounds like the participants had a very good time. I can feel the excitement from them in your words. I love that. 💕
ReplyDeleteTHe trees look so much better now, and they have been around for probably 20 years.
DeleteI am always happy being around the IP participants.
The group at IP sound like a wonderful bunch. The sheer joy of the moment sounds like so much fun!
ReplyDeleteI adore them individually and collectively. I told one of the participants I wish I could bottle his laugh, so whenever I was down in the dumps I could uncap the bottle and be lifted by his laughter.
DeleteThat group of people born without guile is the best place to be. Surrounded by sunshine.
ReplyDeleteI saw one of the parents get the single best Christmas gift she could receive. Her adult daughter, who is struggling to find her place at IP (brand new participant) sang a solo at the party. Her mom was videoing it and grinning the biggest proudest mom grin ever. It almost brought me to happy tears.
DeleteWhat a gift, spending time with your IP "family." Pretty sure they could give all of us a lesson in the meaning of Christmas joy.
ReplyDeleteThey are a joyful bunch year round, but the Christmas joy is over the top and definitely infectious!
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