12/01/2022
Part Three
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Christmas 2019 was the last and best of all the years we have all shared together. Little did we know, but much did we hope . . .
It would be the biggest and best yet, and it sure was!
Our little light-up crowd of a hundred (maybe) grew into a flood of people numbering several thousand. Our little "Greg's Chow Hall" had to be moved to where it encompassed the "old parking lot." Candied apples, corn dogs, popcorn, nachos, "camel ears," and of course cider, coffee, hot chocolate, and those countless homemade cookies to choose from.
Remember the hoops from the pasture parking lot, which lit the way for the massive crowd to find their way from the pasture our dear neighbor Mark let us use where 450 cars were parked to capacity that night? A huge difference from when we used to be able to park the cars in front of our house and in our little parking lot by the shed!
The musical group that did the pre-light-up festivities finally had a name: Aspen Meadow Band.
The four ladies of Hearts in Harmony sang, too, and the overly crowded front yard rang loud and wonderfully as everyone joined in one voice, echoing the sounds of Christmas.
Remember how dark it was when the stage lights were all shut off, and the crowd began the countdown?
Remember your feelings as you saw the areas all light up to the classic sounds of Handel's Hallelujah Chorus? Remember how crowded the walkways were, yet sounds of excitement and joy filled the air as children scurried to the kids' area? Adults gave up trying to round up their children and turned their focus to enjoying the "adult areas" throughout the property.
Not a rude word to be found anywhere!!
Did you get your picture taken in front of the big heart? Did you write your deeply personal expressions on the four hope trees under our carport? Did you know people petitioned the Creator to grant them miracles like an organ transplant, and the next year, with tear-filled expression, they "happened to be" by the very tree telling their story within earshot of the very lady who took their tag home and prayed for him every day all year long, that his liver would come . . .
Talk about joy, weeping, and love!!!
Did you know that many people took home several tags each year and prayed for the desires expressed on them to come to pass?
Miracles upon miracles. That was what we asked for over all the years, and many happened.
Families were reunited, hearts were forgiven and found peace, children's prayers that their parents would reconcile happened, people who were sick were either healed or given much more time than the doctors thought possible, and people who could not have children did and brought them to the lights. People got jobs they were asking for, and most of all, people who thought life was no longer worth living either "happened" to meet someone who could help them as they walked about while enjoying their cocoa and cookies. Some reported that just the feeling as they went from area to area was enough to revitalize their spirit to press on.
None of this happened solely because of our display. But in reality, these miracles and wonders happened because of what each of you chose to bring in your hearts of celebration and goodwill as you came to our display and greeted those crowded with you on the walkways or marveled with you in the many unique areas, or shared those warm moments in the incredibly beautiful Duncan's Toy Chest as our hospitality area came to be called.
The spirit of peace and goodwill felt by our display was truly magnified by each of you!
Did you feel it?
If you experienced wonder and "miracle," would you please share your story with us so our friends can be inspired by them wherever they are in the world today?
Aspen Meadow Band
If you experienced wonder and "miracle" would you please share your story with us so our friends can be inspired by them wherever they are in the world today?
