The Christmas Parade

This past Sunday night I came down with my semi-annual sinus infection. Thus, I was not in top form for the Christmas Parade Monday night.
The parade Monday night was the first I've ever been in. You're probably asking yourself how that could possibly be given the glitz, the glamour, the power and prestige of a Presbyterian pastor's life. How could I have gone so many years without being in a parade? I don't know. I just never had the opportunity until Monday night.
Even though I was feeling miserable beforehand, the excitement of it all was contagious. Soon I felt pretty good as we rolled along Bailey Road and turned onto Main Street. I've never seen so many people, especially children! Thousands of people, maybe even millions. I didn't know that many people lived in Missouri.
I'm glad it was a mild night. It was plenty cold enough as it was. I dressed in so many layers of clothing that Cheri said I looked like the Michelin Man. But I only had one pair of gloves, work gloves, in that I had lost my winter pair. Soon my right hand was so frozen that I was afraid if I waved to the crowd with any enthusiasm it would fly right off the float and be picked up by some kid as a souvenir.
Thanks to Jerry Burhans and Mark Trautwein for making the float. The theme of the parade was "The First Christmas," and so Grace's float said on both sides, "Rev. Dewey Johnson's First Christmas at Grace Church." I was in a rocking chair by a non-heat producing fireplace reading a story, "The First Christmas," to several of our children. And thanks to the Irelan family, the Rogoz family, and the Shirley family for the loan of these great kids! Mainly we just waved to the crowd, and as the night wore on, our little arms got tired. Myself, I think I've come down with a case of Floater's Shoulder, which is an affliction usually associated with those participating in the Rose Bowl Parade. But it was worth it. What a great evening! - DJ