November 15th. The exterior Christmas lights deadline. Hold the phone. Cancel all meetings. Get the lights up. Mr. Christmas is on a mission.

Rain or shine, help or helpless, busy or bored, Bill made sure we were all Christmased in November. That included the Santa Stops Here sign, a new Christmas CD, and especially the rooftop lights. I would really? him in the beginning years, and then I got on board his early sleigh. There is no stalling Santa’s main elf. And, well, I appreciated that we were one of those houses that joined in the celebration. Ours never attracted traffic, but definitely attracted us. Sometimes we would hang out in the car just to gaze at them, singing Christmas carols pretty out loud.

Now our house isn’t one of “those” houses. It makes me sad. There are faint tree lights in the window, which is something, isn’t it? But the dark roof line reminds me that my elf has retired. And though I can merry-it-up some, there are some merries I can’t. …I miss my merry Bill.

One morning last week, well actually night-nearly-morning, I was on my very cold jog. Wouldn’t you know, my next door neighbor’s house sprouted a single string of multi-colored beauties. Right next to me. Almost me. I thought, isn’t that like Jesus to light my dark. I’m thankful for this simple merry that I reflects on my own walkway. It makes me happy. Maybe one day, I can join the “those-houses” celebration again. But now, I’m joining my neighbor’s celebration.