Christmas At the Castle…..

We moved to Eastcastle Place just about two months ago and are pretty well settled in now. Our furniture is all in place, art is on the walls! We’ve had friends come for visits to share meals in our apartment and play games. We had a holiday open house with about twenty of our new fourth floor neighbors and that was really fun. To be honest we already do feel at home here and really love the neighborhood.

We’ve learned that, traditionally, December is “Christmas At the Castle”.There are beautiful decorations everywhere. During the month we enjoyed an amazing Sunday brunch, a silent auction and other fundraising efforts to support the Castle’s staff scholarship fund as well as additional special events. There are big donation boxes at the front desk when people can drop off toy or warm clothing donations….the staff has had to empty the boxes three or four times so far!

Last night really was very special. After dinner we went downstairs to Lindsay Hall for the in-house choir’s Christmas concert. The residents and staff members who make up the choir did a wonderful job and the accompanying musicians were in top form. 

The program included many familiar offerings and the sing-along-section brought back past holidays as the words just moved from my memory to my mouth....my voice wasn't in top form, but it was fun to contribute to the beautiful noise.

One song in particular, "A Grown Up Christmas List" brought tears to my eyes. In today's world the lyrics just really seemed to hit. After the concert I went up to the computer and found other renditions on Youtube. I will probably play it again tomorrow and the day after......it's what I wish for my family, friends and the world. 

"A Grown Up Christmas List".....if only....