Being Mrs. Claus for one evening

BY Dawn Rankins

Hello fellow Canyon Lakers, I do hope this column finds you well. It’s been a super busy month here in the lake and it’s getting busier as we all get ready for Christmas. Parades, tree lightings and decorations going up in yards all around the lake. And guess what? It’s everything I ever wanted to experience, and more.

The Parade of Lights was amazing as usual, and I hope wherever you were in the lake this year, you enjoyed it as much as I did.

John and I were invited to a friend‘s home to enjoy the parade and some yummy appetizers and drinks. Of course, I had to work, however, our friends were super understanding of that. As they enjoyed talking and each other‘s company, I found a nice, quiet place on their deck to enjoy the parade and get some photos for The Friday Flyer.

As I sat out on the deck getting some photos, I couldn’t help but notice all the Christmas spirit along East Bay. The decks all around us were filled with people enjoying the parade together and wishing those on the boats a very Merry Christmas. The cheering could be heard for, I’m sure, miles.

Photo by Kathy Wood

When we were invited to our friends’ home, we were given the option to dress in our favorite Christmas attire or not. Well, I took the “dress in my favorite Christmas attire” to mean just that, and so I did.

I bought myself a cute little Mrs. Claus jumper outfit, and while at first I was a bit intimidated to wear it, I thought, “what the heck, why not?” I put on my jumper, along with some little black boots and off we went to enjoy an evening with our friends.

My friend Kathy told me how cute I looked. She’s too kind, but her compliment meant the world to me. I told her this was the first time ever that I got to dress up in anything like this. Sure, over the last couple of years that I’ve celebrated Christmas I’ve worn the Santa hat, the Christmas sweaters and shirts, but this was the first time I wore a complete Christmas outfit. Kathy hugged me again and said, “I‘m glad you get to experience Christmas like this.”

Reflecting back on our evening out with friends, I couldn’t help but just appreciate the feeling of Christmas and thinking about what it means to me. I was so happy to be celebrating with my friends who are my chosen family. The evening was perfect, from start to finish.

On Sunday, I jumped on Facebook to see what events may be happening for the day and for the upcoming week and I was once again touched by the Christmas spirit. All over Facebook, I saw your posts, posts from our Canyon Lake community.

It made my heart so happy to see all your pictures of the Christmas gatherings you either had or attended. Seeing everyone dressed up in their favorite Christmas attire and celebrating as friends and chosen family, well, that’s what this community is all about…celebrating holidays, events and friendships formed as a united community.

For one evening I got to dress up a bit and be a part of Mrs. Claus and the Christmas spirit, just like I dreamed about as a child. I got to share an evening with some pretty amazing people and with John, the man who makes my life happier each and every day.

When our Saturday evening was all wrapped up, John and I got in the car and looked at each other and he tenderly looked at me and said, “We sure do have one amazing life here in the lake.” I agreed and I told him, “We are so blessed to have such a wonderful group of friends.” And this is how my Christmas season is going.

No matter how you celebrate Christmas, or if you celebrate it at all, I do hope that this season is filled with love, laughter, friendships and family. I hope each and every one of you are able to enjoy the season and make some incredible memories to pass down for generations to come.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy Hanukkah, or maybe just, Happy Days to everyone.