Cabinville transforms during the holidays.
The sidewalks and streets turn into white covered masterpieces. The holiday lights hung on every house make every person smile. The forests of nature scented evergreens let you know its Christmas time.
The snow falls in winter. The snow does not last long, and usually stops by the middle of February. It has been known to snow around Christmas, and there are often flurries in the air on Christmas Eve. Snow makes the holidays seem so much more real, and everyone in Cabinville enjoys that.
And what about the Christmas trees? Cabinville grows a ton of Christmas trees, and everyone in Cabinville has one in their house by December 1st. You go to the tree field and pick a tree that you like, and then put it on top of your car and go home. Most people follow a special ornament tradition. Each family member picks one thing that was most memorable in the year. Then, they make or have someone else make that memory a keepsake. In the back of your ornament, you write the year, that way your Christmas tree tells a story.
The people that live there often decorate their trees with rich, vibrant lights. Most families use red, blue, or green shades, and they look so wonderful through a window. The people get into their car and drive around in awe, for even in the smallest puddle, you can see the reflection of a lifetime.
And what about outside their homes? It is no competition to have the flashiest lights or the most blinking reindeers. The people in Cabinville have freedom to decorate their house as they want to, although most residents stick with colored or white lights outside their door or candles in their windows.
Also, what do you do during the holidays? While your waiting for Christmas, do you sit and watch Christmas movies, go on winter hikes, or sing carols? In Cabinville, you do a bit of all of that. Cabinville has wonderful parties during this season. Friends and families join together to watch movies, sisters bake wonderous goodies, and people cheer for their favorite football teams.
But one tradition truly makes the holidays special.
People take time out of the craziness of the holidays to care. Young kids visit the sick in the hospital. The elderly give surprises to their family. Stressed make time in their day to laugh. People think of each other and go out of their way to help.
So I think the best way to end this post is simple. Spread the joy.
Love it! Wish I lived in Cabinville. Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas Hannah! What would the name of your town be?
Awesome Ami. One of the best posts!
If I ever owned a town it would be called Pet Lands, and everyone would go there with their pets. Every store would be for people and their pets. And when you are in Pet Lands it is very pretty. With colorful lights on every shop display, it is very beautiful. If I could live anywhere I would live in Cabinville or Pet Lands.
My favorite line: “Even in the smallest puddle, you can see the reflection of a lifetime.” Genius writing Ami. “Reflection” in your sentence seems to have a dual meaning. “Reflecting” not only the visual imagery of Christmas lights on the tree, but “reflecting” as in deep thought; the ability to “see” and feel the true meaning of Christmas and life. In a small puddle in Cabinville you can see the reflection of a lifetime. Wow. That’s incredibly profound. Reminds me so much of Henry Thoreau and Walden Pond. When you feel what you write, the reader is moved and elevated. That single line did that for me. When I said that was my favorite line, I didn’t mean just from this piece. This beautifully written sentence is one of my favorite pieces of writing- ever. ❤️I’ll make sure I cite the author whenever and wherever I use it. Cabinville is my new favorite Christmas story.
P.s.- I want to hear more about the stories the trees have to tell about past Christmas times.
Innermost joy was spread beautifully within your writing, Amelie. Your most genuine way of expression brilliantly results in the warmest and most genuine of personal reflection..just magical…Christmas Time. To now keep; feel “Christmas Time” in our hearts and our actions 365 days a year..continue to spread the joy!
You can ask Aunt Tammy….she will automatically be able to tell you I absolutely LOVED this piece!. It seems like you have been blessed with a great mentor in Aunt Christine. I can see she will spur you on to be your best and to tell many more great stories. If everyone reads your stories, they will ALL want to move to Cabinville. It may get too populated one day….and oh, well….that’s another story for another time!