ENCHANT

 

It’s called ENCHANT…the world’s largest holiday light event experience…with a 100 foot tall Christmas tree…Since it was in St. Pete we decided this is one light show we have to see.

As we entered we were greeted by a truly wondrous sight…

immediately surrounded by music and completely immersed in lights.

Santa, his reindeer, and Mrs. Claus were there to add to the joy we were feeling…

A constantly changing rainbow of lights was everywhere we looked…there were even blue whales hanging from the ceiling.

But what made this evening special to us…enhancing its already wondrous charm…

was when he happened upon a young mother and father with their newborn in their arms.

Their smiles were enough to illuminate the stadium…they didn’t need 4 million lights.

Their baby, only one month old, was swaddled in an outfit of red and white.

I was born and raised in the Catholic religion…in Ohio…close to the Bible Belt…

so my first thought was to wonder if they were feeling what Joseph and Mary felt.

We paused a while to talk with them…then calling on the vast experiences we’ve amassed…Deborah advised them to enjoy every moment with their son…because he will grow up so fast.

As the two of us silently left the light show…together…hand in hand…

I smiled knowing the wisdom she shared with that young couple…they will one day understand.

There will come a day the two of them…like the two of us…with children now fully grown…

will, perhaps, be attending the largest holiday light experience…together…on their own.

It is a fine line we walk as parents…wanting our children to develop…praying they will grow…but every now and then wishing time would stop…or at least…for a moment…slow.

Which reminds me of when an old couple was asked…

What’s the happiest part of raising a family…this was their reply…

The happiest part of raising a family is watching them grow up and change as time goes by….

And when asked what’s the saddest part of raising a family…

They smiled and just as quickly exclaimed…

The saddest part of raising a family…

Why our answer is the same.