Traditions
However, this year, we have had the chance to look far ahead and make a plan.
The plan turned out to be a work in progress. There was a much discussion about who would drive, which route we would take, where we would eat ---all the important things. Eventually it was decided that since two of the six of us tend towards car sickness, and there were hills and turns to navigate, that we would be the drivers. Then we phoned each other on our Bluetooth devices and that gave us the ability to hear what was going on in the other vehicle.
As we passed the first neighbourhood, we realized we were very close to a former workmate of ours. We decided spontaneously to stop at her house and sing a few carols. She looked a little surprised when she opened the door, but quickly recovered and sang along with us. We told her we were on a light tour and asked if she wanted to join us. She said yes - much to our delight- and in a couple of minutes had informed her husband that she was going out with 'the girls'. Off we went.
We had so much fun singing to her, we quickly decided to add caroling to our itinerary. We drove from one end of town to the other, stopping at friends' and family's houses, singing a song or two, and off we would go. All the while, we oohed and ahhed over the lights we were seeing in each neighbourhood.
Towards the end of the night, we went up to one neighbourhood, high on a hill. It was lit up beautifully, it made our hearts sing! As a bonus, we saw three deer (we named them Rudolph and Vixen and Blitzen) wandering around the neighbourhood on their own light tour. There was also a gentleman standing on the sidewalk, looking at the deer. On a whim, we rolled down our windows and serenaded him with a verse of "Silent Night". He didn't even look surprised. He joined in the song. We finished singing, wished him a Merry Christmas, rolled up our windows and began laughing at how crazy his story would sound to his wife:
HIM: "And there I was just standing there on the side of the street, and these two cars rolled up beside me and seven women began singing "Silent Night"
HER: "Oh sure, George...and I bet you saw Santa's reindeer too..."
After this escapade we decided to end the light tour and headed out to have dessert at one of our party's house. She had set a festive table, and we enjoyed another hour enjoying each other's company.
I came away from the evening, thankful again, for the opportunity to work with fantastic women who have also become good friends. It was the perfect way to start off the festive season.
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JC