Page 6 December 21, 2017 TORRANCE TRIBUNE TerriAnn in Torrance A Season of Celebration: Always Appreciate the Gift of the Moment Story and Photos by TerriAnn Ferren The next few days may find us rushing with last-minute preparations for Christmas, letting out a sigh of fulfillment with the last day of Hanukkah, or checking the calendar one more time, counting the days. Maybe it is time for a much-needed breather. Preparations for December have shopkeepers and families--and especially children--looking forward to this special month. May I suggest we all take a collective deep breath, drop our shoulders and unclench our teeth? Yes, slow down. Pay attention to the beautiful decorations everywhere. This afternoon, I noticed my bank had fluffy snowmen standing at attention at the teller windows, and driving home I noticed the trees on the medians on Artesia Boulevard were decorated with tiny white lights. It reminded me to slow down, pay attention and take time to notice the small things. Actress/producer Roma Downey said, while reflecting on her daughter’s first Christmas 21 years ago, “…Is it just me or is life moving very fast? I try to remember to slow it down when I can, to fully step into the moment with gratitude and appreciation and to learn from it all…the sunshine and the shadows…” Roma is right. We all could use putting on the brakes every now and then--and now is a great time for that to begin. Over the weekend, I took my annual drive through the tree light district, or Sleepy Hollow, or Seaside Ranchos, as it has been known, to see the lights. Started by Bob and Diane Solomon over 40 years ago, this cozy neighborhood has hosted a fairyland of twinkling lights on trees, and holiday displays of all kinds--celebrating the season, Christmas and Hanukkah. Luckily, it wasn’t very crowded as I slowly rolled past each display up and down the streets. People were walking along the sidewalk enjoying the evening with their families. Many residents had stands selling hot chocolate, coffee, hot soup and popcorn. I even saw Santa sitting in front of one home with a long line of children eagerly waiting their turn to whisper their wishes to Santa. There were tiny lights, large lights, blow-up angels, a Ferris wheel, lit billboards honoring the Dodgers and another heralding the Cubs. Some homes had music playing, and at one residence two flute players were entertaining live. A live concert on the streets in Torrance! Now where can you go and see and hear that? I passed by Bob and Diane Solomon’s home and saw them enjoying the parade of cars passing by, as they have done since 1984. Bob and Diane both said this tradition is a labor of love in spite of the hard-hitting electric bill for the month. The Solomons built a fire pit in their front yard and in the evenings every year, they sit and watch the parade of cars going by with children hanging out of the windows with twinkling eyes along with their oohs and aahs, admiring all their hard work. Bob said that neighbors who need help with their lights are assisted, and nearly everyone participates for blocks and blocks. I have watched the light tradition grow through the years. When he was young, my son Christopher told me the very best way to see the lights was on a bicycle before the crowds come out--just after sunset. He told me he felt like he was in a fairyland of lights, like a tunnel of twinkling all around him with the cool air blowing against his face as he rode his chrome with blue highlights Murray Hybrid Racing Cruiser bicycle through the streets. As I drove down the streets that night, I remembered what Christopher had told me. No way could I bicycle down the center of the streets today. The word is out. As someone once said, “If you light them, they will come.” And they still do. After touring through the streets in Sleepy Hollow, I headed for dinner at a local eatery and noticed all the decorations. Some were subtle, some not so much, but the establishment went out of its way decorating for the season. Lots of people order their gifts online and never step foot in a store. Although I understand how busy we can get and how valuable time is to everyone, I haven’t met one person this holiday season who has said they have everything under control with preparations. Maybe the most important preparation we need to make is with our heart. Opening up our hearts not only to the lights, the decorations, the Hanukkah candles and the presents, but also to family, neighbors and friends. Roma reminded us that we learn from sunshine and shadows. Yes, and may I add, also from the quiet moment we take, relaxing in the arms of the season. A new year is upon us in a little over a week. May we breathe in, drop our shoulders, unclench our teeth and smile. Enjoy the moment--every moment--every day. Merry Christmas! • A virtual light extravaganza. Entertaining the passersby. Dodger fans showing love to the team and beloved announcer Vin Scully. A Ferris wheel of lights. The Christmas tree in the park in front of the Los Angeles City Hall. Lighting the menorah on the first night of Hanukkah in front of Torrance City Hall. (L-R) Councilman Mike Griffiths, Councilman Milton S. Herring, I, Councilwoman Heidi Ann Ashcraft, Mayor Patrick J. Furey, Rabbi Didi Thomas, Councilman Kurt Weideman, and Councilman Geoff Rizzo.
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