Iam writing this article on Saturday. Thanksgiving is over. The Clinton Christmas parade has ended. Illinois has won its final football game of the season. It’s time for a little reflection about the holiday season and what it means to this community and to each of us.

GRAND MARSHAL—The Christmas parade has ended. Two of my grandkids were in the bands and that is always nice. Our oldest daughter even drove up from Granite City to watch the parade. The real joy for my family was that Gramps, Ivan Stanwood, was the Grand Marshal. Gramps is 94 and a WWII veteran (Navy). There aren’t too many of them left. He and Donna have been married for 72 years and live independently.

To whoever nominated him and to the Clinton Chamber of Commerce for designating a veteran and senior citizen as Grand Marshal, thank you. The smile on an old man’s face is always something to behold. My thanks to Ivan and Donna for simply being great in-laws and grandparents. They have always been supportive and never imposing. That has meant a lot. Thank-you.

• See the complete column in the Friday, Dec. 3, print edition of the Clinton Journal or now in the Journal E-Edition for subscribers.