Do you enjoy driving around to see all the residential Christmas lights and decorations during this holiday season? Many stores and businesses also have bright and colorful displays. One common theme is candles. Most of course are electrical or artificial for safety reasons. A neighborhood in our area puts out luminaries on Christmas Eve, many of which have real candles. It brings back memories of a simpler day.
I grew up on farm near Lincoln. My dad mentioned several times that the Rural Electrification Administration (REA) went through the county in 1938. It took a while for the impact of that statement to sink in. Most of us can only imagine what it would be like living in home without electricity where your lighting comes from gas lamps or candles. Legend has it that the great Chicago fire of 1871 was caused by a cow kicking over a gas lantern. And I recall my dad also telling a story that happened before his time when a family barn burned down for that very reason. Hopefully candles will be a reminder of the many things we have to be thankful for.