Hello Y’all! I hope you are doing well in your corner of the world. It’s Christmas Eve in North Texas, and we have had the most odd weather I have seen in a very long time. The temperature is 61 F, and we have thunderstorms and warmth which doesn’t sit right with me. I had the pleasure of visiting the Deerfield Christmas Lights which is a beautiful estate filled with very expensive homes. From what I learned, every Christmas, they go all out…and I mean all out decorating the exterior so much so that people come from all over the metroplex to admire and walk the neighborhood just to get a glimpse of the decor. All this in my very own backyard and I had no clue. The houses were picturesque! So beautifully decorated, it felt like a magic Christmas wonderland. I walked for almost two hours just admiring the lights, the details, the funny themes and taking pictures. One house took the cake in my opinion. I mean, it had EVERYTHING from Santa’s toy shop, trains with real steam, a ferris wheel, an elf disco floor, reindeer, a donkey with a saddle you could pose for pictures on and so much I couldn’t imagine how much it costs to set it all up.

Thankfully, the weather was nice enough to walk because the lineup of cars that we saw meant some of those folks would be there for a minimum of three hours just trying to get to all the houses bumper to bumper. It brought so much joy to me on what the season is all about and the privilege of living in a country where we are free to enjoy and celebrate our beliefs without fear or retribution.

And so, wherever you are in the world, I wish you a very Merry Christmas, and no matter what circumstance you’re going through, It can get better and if you do your part, it will. Be thankful, be hopeful, take action, don’t dwell on fear, and look forward to the future. Until I come your way again in 2025, I remain

Periwinkle Starr