Merry Christmas. May God bless each and every one of you. I hope you are staying warm and sharing your smile, your love and your joy this Christmas Season!

*****

What a special night it was in our Valley Home this past Saturday evening. Folks came from near and far to honor this year’s Valley Home Christmas Parade Grand Marshal. This year we honored Mrs. Audrey Rinna as our 2023 Valley Home Lighted Christmas Parade Grand Marshal. On this cold winter night, Audrey led the parade in grand style. She was driven through the parade by her family in her late husband’s prized jeep. The jeep was brought out of retirement and worked on by very loving hands to get it up and running once again for this very special occasion. Audrey has lived her entire life within one square mile in her beloved Valley Home. In her honor, hundreds of dazzling Christmas lights lit up the night sky along the parade route. A beautiful old-fashioned wagon, colorful floats, decorated vehicles, huge tractors, sparkling buggies covered with hundreds of lights, and a very special treat for all children, young and old alike … Santa came to Valley Home. Our beautiful big shiny red fire truck with lights flashing brought up the end of the very delightful 2023 Valley Home Christmas Parade. It was a grand sight to see and truly an amazing night. With the parade over, our Grand Marshal was escorted to our beautiful Community Christmas Tree in the Park. As she lit up the tree, hundreds of sparkling lights came to life, creating a beautiful glow in the chilly night air. Our evening was made even more special as Mrs. Jean Northcutt from our Valley Home Baptist Church said a prayer asking God to bless and look over each one of us. Near our brightly glistening Christmas Tree stood a quiet peaceful manger scene … a bright star in the heavens … Mary (Alexis Cornett), Joseph (Wren McCurley) and Baby Jesus reminded us of a night so long ago in Bethlehem. Baby Jesus was born and wrapped in swaddling clothes and slept peacefully in the manger.

Christmas Carols with Avery, Lisa and the crowd brought smiles to everyone’s hearts. A gentle ‘snow’ started falling as children laughed and played. Folks remembered our sweet Bonnie with a delightful and very heartfelt cookie exchange in her memory. Bonnie Gellerman was our Valley Home School’s beloved bus driver and the dearest childhood friend of Mrs. Audrey Rinna. Bonnie was special to so many hearts. We love our Bonnie.

Blazing fire pits warmed folks up; baskets of chocolate bars, graham crackers, along with fluffy marshmallows to toast, were at each fire pit providing s’mores for all. Delicious hot chocolate made for a perfect night. Our community is very blessed to have such wonderful and caring people. We are so thankful to each and every person who helped make this night so special. God bless you all!

*****

As always you may contact me at winniemullins51@gmail.com or by telephone at 209-985-5233.

Until next time … Merry Christmas to All!