"Make Believe Festival"

For as long as I can remember, I have traveled to Baldwin City, Kansas during the third full weekend in October for the annual MAPLE LEAF FESTIVAL. Growing up, it was always one of the highlights of my year to go to Granny and Grandpa's house for Maple Leaf. My grandparents live in an old three story home filled with sentimental treasures that encompass many of my early childhood memories. For example, the third floor where I would play "house" with all the cousins. Or the blue staircase with the yellow lamppost where we would play "good witch/bad witch." Or the bedrooms that have hardly changed a bit in all the years I remember sleeping in them. Then there is the kitchen table with the built in lazy susan (inspiration for my table, by the way). And we can't forget the old record player were we used to listen to the same records every year (until Granny "accidentally" broke them). Then finally, there is the mannequin mounted in the upper corner of the staircase that wears my Granny's wedding dress. She once caught me trying it on - before it was on the mannequin - and oh, how embarrassed I was! (Whitney- you would totally have a heart attack if you saw the wedding dress mannequin!) I had grand plans to take pictures of all these things this year but - - umm, but I forgot.

Anyway, visiting Granny and Grandpa's house for the Maple Leaf Festival every year is such a joy. The parade is picturesque of small town America (which makes it even more impossible to believe our country is about to elect a socialist for a president). The craft booths sell mostly Christmas decor (which quickly puts me in the mood for Christmastime.) And the family hayride/bonfire is always bitter cold (but it never fails to make me thankful for the "warmth" of my extended family.) My grandpa always takes advantage of the bonfire to gather everyone around and tell stories of our family heritage. You would think, after all these years, that I would have heard all the stories, but not so. This year he told a few I had never heard. However, he ALWAYS turns his stories back to God and the desire he has for our family to carry on the godly heritage that he and Granny began in our family. I know for a fact that my grandparents (on both sides, actually) prayed and are still praying for me and I can't tell you how much that means to me. I know many decisions that were made in my life were carefully weighed in light of how they would reflect on the godly heritage that is mine to uphold and carry on. I feel that continuing the godly heritage that they began in our family is one of the great honors of my life. It tickles me pink to think that my children are getting glimpses of their great grandparents and the hearts they have for the Lord and that my children will also feel the "weight" of the godly heritage that is now their's to carry on.

A few years ago, my husband mentioned to some of the ladies in his office that he would be going to the "Maple Leaf Festival" that weekend. One of the ladies got a confused look on her face and asked him "What is the Make Believe Festival?" Hence, the name became a bit of a joke in our house. But when I thought about it this year, I realized how very fitting the name could be. It is almost like magic - we can drive four or so hours and land ourselves smack dab in the middle of my childhood. It is almost like "make believe" that my kids can now live for themselves so many of my own memories. I can only hope that those memories have the same impact on their lives as they have on mine.

Jonah and Hannah watching the parade this year.Some of the cousins enjoying the rides this year.

One of my favorite sights in the parade this year.

Grandpa speaking to us at the bonfire (this was taken a few years ago - I didn't take a picture this year.)


Granny and Grandpa with some of the great grandkids (also taken a few years ago - we didn't get a picture this year)