Christmas in New York City
Image Credit: Central Park

For a moment, allow me to remind everyone that I grew up in the Cotton Patch Country of Southeast Missouri. Although I profess to be a writer now, I grew up with a tiny library and few reading opportunities, and although I profess to be a painter now, I was over 60 before I saw any type of famous art. I saw that in New York City–at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

You see, I lived in New Jersey for 18 years, and every chance I had, I would board a day tour bus and travel to New York City. I spent most of my time there in Central Park and at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Like the culture-starved creature that I was, I would drool the entire day.

My favorite visits were during the Christmas season. Those days were distilled magic:

In the above video, I shared some of my photos of the Saks Fifth Avenue store’s Christmas display. At that time, I was 66, and I had never seen a store decked out so very lavishly. I was transfixed there. But my real treat was going to the Rockettes Christmas Show:

Santas were everywhere.

At one point, snow filled the auditorium. My White Christmas Fantasy Came True.

After the lights were dimmed,  I could not believe what happened next.

In this most commercial city of the world–as part of its celebration of Christmas, the Santas took back seat to a live and breathtaking Nativity.  One by one, each of the characters came across the stage and took their places. Each character moved me, until finally the camels and the wisemen entered the arena. I wept.

For the first time ever, I saw Kings coming with gifts for a King.

I have often told people that my picture book The Donkey’s Song is my memory of having been part of my little church’s Nativity Pageant–when I was child. In a cotton-patch town with few frills and whistles, that Christmas pageant was my taste of Broadway–before I was finally allowed to see Broadway when I was over 60.

The Seed for My Picture Book The Donkey’s Song Was Planted When I Was A Child – #Memoir – Harvest Your Past

Illustration by Sydney Hanson for The Donkey’s Song

During my lifetime, I have been gifted with some amazing experiences, but down deep inside, I am just a country girl–a small and rough Donkey stumbling around–eyes wide open–drinking the magic of life–every chance I get.

Illustration by Sydney Hanson for The Donkey’s Song

A few days before Epiphany, I am humbly waiting for the Wise Men to Bring the Light Again at Epiphany.

And I am thankful!