Attitude of Gratitude #22

Doc Walker has a song called "Remember December". They haven't released it formally yet but it's featured on the CMT Christmas special that they recoreded and they performed it at the Basics for Babies Breakfast last year. You can hear it here (righthand side, under videos, scroll down to the Christmas 2006 at XM Radio - Part 1)

Anyways, the lyrics in it, especially the first verse really remind me of my hometown. I don't have pictures of the lamp post decorations that the city puts up (yet, I'll get some) but they are in the shape of candles and stars just like ths song says.

Every year the Downtown Business Association also hosts a Tree Lighting ceremony. They block off a couple of streets, Santa arrives in a vintage fire truck, escorted by the police and the local Air Cadet Band, there is carols and performances on the main stage and then, at the appointed time, the mayor flicks the switch to light the tree.

Mom and I went down on Friday night to join in on the festivities. We bundled up and then walked from my place since "downtown" is only about three blocks away. This year was special because our long (long, long, long) time mayor (second from the left) is (finally) retiring and a new guy (third from the left) is taking over. They made a big show of "teaching" the new guy how to flip the switch :)

So, for this (delayed) Attitude of Gratitude post, I am thankful for my hometown. Yes it has it's foibles and shortcomings, yes I don't agree with everything that they do but it's home and when I remember December (or November in this case) this is what I think of. The lights, the singing and the spirit of community that binds us all together.

Remember December

Hanging those lights on the main street of town
The stars and candles with bulbs burnt out
I swear they use the same ones every year
And in the school parking lot, the snow is piled high
Kids are making forts and having snowball fights
Some of my favourite memories are made right here
In this little town

I remember hearing “Silent Night”
Underneath a blanket of Northern Lights
The sweet smell of gingerbread and pine
With homemade stockings and popcorn strings
You swear you hear those sleigh bells ring
It seems so warm right in the dead of winter
That’s how I remember December

There’s always a smile on everybody’s face
Gathered around the fireplace
Passing out gifts from beneath the tree
Meant so much to me

I remember hearing “Silent Night”
Underneath a blanket of Northern Lights
The sweet smell of gingerbread and pine
With homemade stockings and popcorn strings
You swear you hear those sleigh bells ring
It seems so warm right in the dead of winter
That’s how I remember December

We’re all a little sad when New Year’s rolls around
That’s when they start to take the stars and candles down

I remember hearing “Silent Night”
Underneath a blanket of Northern Lights
The sweet smell of gingerbread and pine
With homemade stockings and popcorn strings
You swear you hear those sleigh bells ring
It seems so warm right in the dead of winter
That’s how I remember December
That’s how I remember December