Jolly about holly

To the editor:

’Tis the season, But the season of what, exactly?

As we move through the many stages of life, this oft-used Christmas tiding can take on a multitude of meanings — the season of stress for many parents, season of financial worries for many business owners, season of unpredictable weather for those of us in the Midwest.

Through adulthood, the season can sometimes feel as if it has lost a bit of its luster. That was not the case Nov. 30 when the Marion came alive with Christmas cheer like some Hallmark screenwriter’s daydream.

It was wonderful to see so many friends and neighbors set their worries aside and fill their day with joy.

Ask any member of the Marion Merchants Association and we will tell you Holly Jolly Christmas is easily a favorite time of year.

The city is bustling, people are cheerful and friendly, and businesses get a much needed surge of customers.

What we rarely share is the months and months of work leading up to the event — the near-constant planning and brainstorming to make each year’s event better than the one before.

It is because of this that the coverage of the event in the Marion County Record meant so very much to us!

The beautiful photos and wonderful stories helped to make this special day last just a bit longer, and we appreciate the shared desire to bring holiday cheer to our little corner of the world.

From these local small business owners to another, thank you, truly!

Merry Christmas.

Megan Jones
Marion Merchants