On November 23rd I went back home to Fremont for the Santa parade. I was to sit on the big float with Santa, Mrs. Clause and first and second runner up. It was cold out but the air was full of festive excitement. Everyone seemed to be in the Christmas Spirit and bundled from head to toe wearing their Christmas colors of red or green.

As we all waited for the little parade to begin I went to greet a girl I saw was shivering in the cold. She was a girl scout with a little green sash proudly showing off the badges she had earned.

As we waited soon the parade began to move slowly down the street. First it was the high school band then the choir. Our float started and as the band played “We Wish You A Merry Christmas” we were also slowly moving down the street. I began to wave to everyone I could make eye contact with (I tried to wave to the little ones in the crowd). I had a warm feeling in my heart for this little town I had come to love and enjoy. It now seemed so small and homey, though it was no longer my home.

We passed by the library where dad had taken us many times. We had spent hours there reading good books by the fire.

Every shop had a special memory or some kind of significance in my life.
I saw our favorite stamp store. I remember mom taking me there many times. One time stands out to me- Mom was going to give me a party for my 13th birthday. So we went there to find the supplies to make my birthday party invitations. That was a fun time for me.

We passed by the Chamber Office. I had spent many hours there in volunteer work. And made many friends that were so kind to my family and me.

Slowly we went passed the pizza shop where the Queens Court and last years Queen ate dinner, just one hour before the crowning night. Of course I didn’t eat a thingJ I was so nervous.

“Paris Studio” came into view. A picture of the Queens Court smiling brightly hung in the window. It was there I had my Queen pictures taken. I wanted to capture the memories I would retell my grandchildren in the years to come.

As we approached the “Wyse Office Supply”store there Kyle and Chuck stood in front waving back to me. Kyle stood there with his old boss. He used to work there and had really enjoyed his job. I loved finding excuses to visit him during the day.

Shop owners stood in their windows not brave enough to face the cold wind that blew down the street. It was cute to see the faces peeking from the clearing they had made in the white, foggy windows. I made sure to smile and wave to them as well.

Then I looked up to see “The Koffee Kupe”. As I looked closer I saw that my two best friends were standing there in front of the cute, homey, little coffee shop. I waved to them. We had spent so many hours together there just talking about things that were going on in our lives. Me, Heidi, Hannah, Courtney & Mariah sitting together the same round table.We would order a nice coffee in the cold months, in the summer we would always go to the glassed freezer case and pick our favorite flavor of ice cream.

Many times we would leave that place not really knowing it but we had been streangthened in our walk. And I believe we all needed that. So many times we laughed till we cried. And recently we cried and hugged as we had to say goodbye.

We ended the parade at the park downtown were Santa’s little red and white house was set up. Santa was going to greet all the eager children there.
My eyes found the big band stand were on Friday night July 19th at 9:00 I was crowned National Baby Food Festival Queen 2002. That night will never fade from my memory.

Soon the parade was over that too only a memory now. Glancing back up the little street I had just come down I realized it was one I had walked many times before on tired, sore feet. I worked all day every day that week during the hot days of the festival. Though it was hard I made many friends and fun, happy memories I will always remember. I had many exciting times right on this small town street.

After the parade was over I met my two best friends at the “Koffee Kupe” just like old times. And again we encouraged each other in just simply being together. We believed in the very same things and we both knew it was God who had arranged our special friendship.You could call us “Kindred Spirits”.
I realize that memories really aren’t the places you visit or the things you like to do, it’s the special friends and family you share them with that really matter the most.

Passing by those shops was like going slowly over my memories again.
God really was so good to me here, I thought. He gave me such wonderful things that would turn into cherished memories. I know it is God who gave me these memories. I believe he wants me to enjoy these moments on earth. And now I see the common, everyday things I do today are the memories I’ll hold dear tomorrow.

“We have this moment to hold in our hands,
and to touch as it slips through our fingers like sand,
yesterdays gone and tomorrow may never come,
but we have this moment today”

You have this moment, to make a memory with someone you love

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