Glad I Did

 I did not want to go.

I was feeling cranky from sitting around all day waiting for things to fall into place so that we could go out and run errands. And when at 5 PM our drop-in guest headed home after a 2 hour visit, I was anxious to head out right then. But the dog needed a walk, and then our neighbors texted to suggest tonight for our annual holiday light crawl and gift exchange. There really wasn't another night before Christmas that would work, so I grumbled and sighed and even stomped a bit before bundling up and heading out into the second longest and definitely coldest night of the year.

I began to relax right away as we passed the twinkling lights of our own neighborhood on our way up the hill to where we knew the most impressive displays were located. It seemed later than 6 PM as we walked the streets admiring all sorts of lights and characters, no one was around but us. We made it to what has historically been the most impressive display: an old farmhouse bedazzled with tens of thousands of lights on every surface and even adorning the 70 foot trees that tower above it. 

Oohed and aahed out, we continued on our way a couple of blocks to another really lit house replete with a front yard full of holiday figures. "Those are the two best," I shrugged, "but let's go around the block before turning back." 

It was there that we found the treasure of the evening. A house with an electronic music and light display so professionally executed we might have paid to see it. We stood across the street watching what can only be described as the show, as lights flashed and danced and changed color along with holiday music. There was a pixilated screen in the center of the roof that added to the show with glowing holly, pulsing sunrises, and dabbing Santas.

In the middle of the spectacle a Tesla pulled up, and a couple greeted us. We assumed they were there to enjoy the show, until they crossed the street and entered the house. It wasn't too long before the guy came back out. He wanted to be with folks who appreciated his creation. He gave us a bit of an inside scoop: he was a professional cameraman; he had been installing the lights since October; he had programmed all of it himself. Then he used his phone to show us a couple of songs we'd missed. 

"Well, I'd better head back inside," he said after 10 minutes or so.

We thanked him again, both for his time and his amazing creation, and then turned to go home ourselves, confident that we had seen the best lights there were.