Walking through the past

How was your holiday season? Did you survive? Are you happy it's behind or are you missing the company of friends and family?

Where I am, the weather has been unseasonably warm, so we've been making the most of it by going out for walks every chance we get. I've seen some fun things, which I post on my "Out and About" posts on Instagram, and in an effort to get out of the house, I talked the Big Guy into a trip to my hometown to see an outdoor light display.

Overlooking the koi pond

When I was a kid, my sisters and I walked to school (not going to call up the folk story about "two miles uphill through a foot of snow" stuff). It was about a mile each way, though, and yes, sometimes it snows in Illinois. The best part of the walk was the place that makes Lombard, Illinois famous--Lilacia Park. Every year the town has a Lilac festival, and the park blooms with several colors and varieties of lilacs and tulips. My sisters and I often walked through the park on our way to school. I remember stopping to read the sundial (never did figure out how that worked) and looking over the koi pond (before koi ponds were fashionable).

A few years ago, I'd heard they did a Christmas light display in the park, but I'd never taken the time or found an opportunity to go back. Through the magic of social media, I'd seen some of my family and friends who still live in the area post pictures, and while the Big Guy and I were sitting around on New Years Day, we figured we needed an adventure, so we made the trek--quick before the display ends.

Rastas

On one end of the park, there is a deer statue that children have climbed onto for as long as he's been there. His name is Rastas, and he has stubs where his antlers should be. Naturally, Rastas was my first stop.

As I led the Big Guy along the familiar paths, past the light displays, beside the knoll that used to be shrouded in trees making for a secret hiding spot, past the wishing willow tree, I saw so much more than the abundance of colored lights and Christmas designs that decorated the park. Memories filled in all the spots left barren in the winter. The time spent with friends and family. The building inside the park where I bought my summer pool pass. The library where I spent so much time growing up.

Moving lights - a Christmas train

Sometimes when you need to recharge after the holidays, it's nice to revisit those places that are dear to you (or revisit the deer!). What are you doing to "recover" from the holidays?

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