Today we fall back for daylight savings, thankful for an extra hour of sleep. This really marks the beginning of the holiday season and the closing out of another year. It also marks one of my family’s favorite times of the year. In the five years that we have lived in Vicksburg, we have started many traditions that we look forward to and find new sights and sounds to enjoy each year. We have bundled up and made the trek through the Shadows of the Past candlelight tour at the Vicksburg National Military Park, followed the crowds to the Outlets at Vicksburg for the annual lighting of the Christmas tree, felt useful to our community when helping serve food on Thanksgiving Day, and enjoyed downtown Washington St. as we watched in anticipation for the first glimpse of the Christmas parade. It’s during this time that we rub elbows with more people in the community than any other season of the year. There’s a sense of community and celebration. There’s an underlying element of thankfulness, to live in a town such as Vicksburg. Growing up in Southern California, we didn’t have that same sense of togetherness that a smaller community affords. Maybe it’s the vast difference in environments that gives my wife and I more appreciation for the life we lead amongst the living history and southern hospitality that is so prevalent here. With our son looking toward college and his independent future, this year, more than ever, we will make sure to enjoy all that Vicksburg has to offer. This time of year also gives us a chance to reflect and be thankful for all we have, like that extra hour of sleep, slept in peace knowing that all is well.
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Paul Barry is the managing editor and can be reached by email at paul.barry@vicksburgpost.com or by phone at 601-636-4545 ext. 123.