Christmas
is special in the country
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| by
Barry Hart |
by Barry
Hart
I may be biased
because I grew up in rural Missouri, but it seems to me Christmas is
special in the country. Maybe it’s because of the
natural tendency of rural people to be good neighbors that really shines
at this time of year.
I am always humbled
by the way rural people look out for those who are less fortunate in
their communities. Somehow, you find a way to ensure no one goes without.
Nothing
looks better trimmed out in red and green than a small town. The
old storefronts, bandstands, town squares and parks all lend themselves
well to holiday decorations. I personally look forward to seeing
the lifelike nativity scenes emerge at the same locations and sometimes
am pleasantly surprised by seeing a new one in a community.
Since
they are farther apart than urban homes, a rural home lit up for
the holidays seems to shine brighter. There’s nothing more comforting
to me than to drive down a rural road and see the distant glow of
holiday lights shining in the night.
This time of year,
small towns really put out the welcome mat with a huge variety of events.
The sounds of Christmas can be heard from church bells, marching bands
and impromptu groups of carolers, some collecting for a worthy cause
and others just singing for the sheer fun of it.
Then there’s
the country cooks. Without them, Christmas would not be the same.
Favorite recipes for desserts come out of hiding, marked as the most
popular by the many stains and fingerprints from Christmases past.
These country cooks, bless them, love to share.
Our farmers open
their fields to us so we can select a real Christmas tree. Nothing
smells better than a fresh-cut pine from a Missouri tree farm. I’m
not sure there is anything better to get you in the holiday mood.
As
my wife, Laura, and I get ready for the holidays and the return home
of our two sons from college for a short time, I want to take a minute
to thank all of you for staying in touch this past year. Those cards
and letters provide valuable feedback on how we are doing.
It’s
been a good year for Missouri’s electric cooperatives and the
650,000 member-owners they strive to serve each day of the year.
Here’s
hoping you and your family have a special and meaningful Christmas
season and that 2007 is a happy and prosperous year for all of our
readers.
Hart is executive vice president of the Association
of Missouri Electric Cooperatives.
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