This holiday season, we hope you’re taking time to enjoy the simple things in life.  The Christmas lights are one of those simple things that provide joy and happiness during the holiday season for our family. We tried last year to get tickets to Brookgreen Gardens in Murrels Inlet, but the event was sold out.  Therefore, it became my mission to start early this year to snag tickets.

Mission accomplished!

The Saturday after Thanksgiving was marked on all of our calendars.

Night of a Thousand Candles 

And … it did NOT disappoint!

Our youngest daughter accompanied us on this exciting adventure!   We began our two-and-a-half-hour journey early in the afternoon to arrive shortly before the sun began to set as we wished to enjoy the grounds before nightfall.  Then, as daylight slipped away, we found ourselves immersed in twinkling lights, candles galore, and the most beautiful displays of trains and vintage toys from years gone by.  While we were taking a stroll down memory lane amongst the familiar toys of our youth, our daughter looked on astonished at the “antiques” making us feel old as dirt!

As we made our way through the lushly landscaped gardens among the statues and fountains were three trees strung with Christmas lights.  We all gathered in front of the makeshift stage singing Christmas carols, then counted down for the three trees to be lit signifying the beginning of the Christmas season.

With a flip of the switch, things seem to change inside of us as well.  The twinkling lights united us all as we stood in that moment in time.

Oh, the joy of the holiday season …