Monday, May 25, 2009

Why I Love My Neighborhood

On Memorial Day every year, my neighborhood does a Memorial Day parade. This is our fourth parade, and the first year we were invited even though we hadn't yet moved into our house. It's that kind of open and friendly neighborhood, and we met so many wonderful people that day.

This year, we know what to expect. We arrive before nine and park the bikes. We keep them to the side of the road and play with friends until the fire trucks, ambulances, and other offical vehicles arrive. Before the parade starts off, the wee ones know to cover their ears, so we have no more screaming in fright or inability to deal with the piercing sirens.





Little Miss didn't have any of the donuts this year -- her dairy allergy, after all -- but she was ok with that. She's so good about knowing what she can and can't have. Instead, she expresses her naughty side in other ways.



Today? She insisted on wearing her Vikings shirt. Personally, I'm glad that she loves her Vikings, but ... she would not wear red, white and blue. And she decided that she didn't want to ride her bike in the parade. She wanted to take the wagon.

I informed her that there was no way I was pulling the wagon around the neighborhood. She looked at me quite innocently and explained that she was going to pull the wagon. Her animals had decided that they wanted to go to the parade, too. In a test run down the block to the parade start, she proudly pulled her wagon.



And in the cold, she was a good mommy and covered up her babies with a blanket. And the red, white and blue bandana I snuck in there.

Mister Man was more traditional in his clothing and parade technique. He was so proud to go all the way through the neighborhood.





Of course, as I stood at the start/stop point talking to friend, I began to wonder why they were taking so long. I saw other children finishing the circuit. I saw children finishing a second circuit. Friends were preparing to leave. I finally called my husband to see where they were. "Oh. We're hanging out at home. Where are you?" Yep, they only did three quarters of the circuit before stopping at our house and deciding they were done with the parade.

I hiked back home, but I neglected to bring home any participant ribbons for them. After all, they didn't really complete their participation did they? Maybe next year.

In the meantime? I love where I live.

The only thing I thought was a little sad is that there were only three veterans (including my dad) in the entire group. We had three hundred fifty-three people there -- according to the organizer's little clicker counter thingie -- and yet so few veterans. This included many in the crowd who were middle aged and grandparents. Perhaps they were too shy to announce their status, but those three that were there I hope appreciated the ovation they received.

Happy Memorial Day (and again on May 30th)!

13 comments:

septembermom May 26, 2009 at 7:27 AM  

What a wonderful time for everyone. A very nice way to celebrate Memorial Day. Hey, can I move to your neighborhood? Looks like a great place to be :)

morninglight mama May 26, 2009 at 8:50 AM  

Sounds like a great celebration!

Unknown May 26, 2009 at 10:29 AM  

A good neighborhood is such a blessing! It sounds wonderful!

Michelle May 26, 2009 at 8:23 PM  

septembermom - Of course you're welcome. I'm sure you'll be shocked to discover that there are even a couple houses for sale here (actually, we're down to only one of the 119). BUT on the plus side, no bullies AND nice people.

Michelle May 26, 2009 at 8:26 PM  

Can you tell I have a massive headache? I forgot to do the rest. Ugh. I'm off to bed after this.

morninglight mama - It really is. I love how the neighborhood comes together. The co-ops (because we have TWO) provide the ribbons and donuts and coffee and lemonade -- this year, yellow water but that was the OTHER co-op, we had the donuts this year. And there are no cliques or anything icky!

Life with Kaison - It really is. We discovered this neighborhood after looking for a house for just a couple months and we trolled for a year and a half before we moved in because we were waiting for the right house in this neighborhood to go on the market. And not many people move out. Once they're here, they're pretty much here to stay and raise their families. And I love that. Sixteen years in, and over 60 of the 119 houses are original families still.

Cookie May 26, 2009 at 11:08 PM  

That is funny that they didn't finish. Great neighborhood!

Sherry @ Lamp Unto My Feet May 27, 2009 at 9:11 AM  

What fun! :D Great pics! I wish we had more things like that here.

Roxane May 27, 2009 at 9:55 AM  

That's so nice~ everyone loves a parade!

Michelle May 27, 2009 at 6:27 PM  

Cookie - Oh yeah... it's hilarious as I'm waiting and waiting and waiting for them ;)

Sherry - It is fun! It's a neat tradition that so many places couldn't even fathom.

Roxane - I know we do... especially the ones where they throw candy or other good stuff. The wee ones are already asking when Fourth of July is!

Melisa Wells June 1, 2009 at 4:44 PM  

"I hiked back home, but I neglected to bring home any participant ribbons for them. After all, they didn't really complete their participation did they? Maybe next year."WE ARE THE SAME PERSON. I'm a little creeped out at this moment; I don't know anyone else who would have done that, besides me and you. :)

Michelle June 1, 2009 at 8:43 PM  

Melisa - You made me giggle. And then I had to prove to my husband that I'm not the only one :) Ahhhh...

Heather June 13, 2009 at 7:42 PM  

What fun! When I was a little our little town had a parade like that for 4th of July. We decorated our bikes, along with all the other kids and rode in the parade. Afterward everyone got fire engine rides!

Michelle June 17, 2009 at 11:45 PM  

Heather - Very cool. I love the engine rides at the end. Unfortunately our engines go through the neighborhood and then go back to the station. It's fun anyway!

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