We woke up Thursday morning (parade day) to a huge rainstorm and dense, dark clouds sat ominously in the sky throughout the day. Another big thunderstorm was set to strike at 5:00pm, parade start time. We got as much prepped as we could inside, watched and waited to see if our annual end of summer shindig was going to happen. The skies cleared up enough, a few rumbles of thunder threatened, but the Soldiers Reunion Parade, a Newton tradition for over a hundred years, was able to again march, float, ride, wave and gallop down our little street.
This celebration is always a reminder of the simple joys of summer, small town style. Kids run around, waving to beauty queens, playing baseball or blowing bubbles. We chat with neighbors, wave to friends in the parade, drink lemonade and sweet tea, swipe a lick of frosting off a cupcake with our fingers…for a moment we get to feel a little Norman Rockwell magic.
There was a close call when the Chik Filet cow, the “scary big character” that the kids fear most, parked in front of our house for ten minutes. Mark and Leah rushed over, prepared to hold and calm the sure to be shaking, crying duo. All the other kids in attendance proved to be a great influence. As long as the cow stayed on the other side of the street, both kids stood bravely on their own, breathing deeply and on alert. The dignified way they faced that fear was a fitting tribute to all the soldiers, past and present, we were celebrating.
May we all continue our march, bravely facing the storms and embracing all the moments of magic.
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