The Latham Holiday Tradition

December 19, 2013

I should have worn my boots to work this morning. Regrets, I have a few… now a nice pair of new shoes is about to get a sloppy snow bath. I apparently neglected to remember the weather report and currently I am watching a beautiful, wet snow pile up outside. Some days are like this. Now the good news is that the Latham School kids are busy preparing for the 2013 Holiday Party happening today, Thursday, December 19th and this is considerably improving my mood.

The sounds of the chorus are filtering upstairs to my office. I am a sucker for this event. I don’t care how much snow, wind, rain or hail comes down on my head. I will be at this party come you know what or high water. To me, this is what this time of year is all about. Joyful singing, bell ringing and a child-like anticipation of things to come.

There still exists here at Latham a belief in the magic of the season. No one is complaining about crowded stores, out of stock gifts or identity theft. It is about being with people who care about each other and truly understand the importance of community.

Gifts will be given by men in tights and a jolly old elf. That in and of itself is worth the price of admission. These dedicated, hard-working individuals put aside their dignity for an afternoon of fun and laughter, knowing that the kids love the pageantry of the season and all it represents. If I could describe the delight on the faces of the students, I would, but the words don’t do their expressions justice. It is happiness in its purest form. I will walk around for the rest of the day with a silly smile on my face and that is okay by me.

Submitted by:
Chris Gallant