New Year's Caroling

Today when the D’s came over (Dalisha, Da’Sean, Dantrae, Dareeona and Damesha), 6-year-old Dareeona made a case for going caroling in the neighborhood this evening.  She had been looking forward to it, but missed out when we went during Christmas week because it happened to be right when her new baby sister was born!

Here is a pic of our first caroling adventure:

So tonight, even though Christmas has past, we figured we could switch up the words to a few of the songs and spread some good cheer nonetheless.

We lit a few lanterns to carry with us, donned mittens and scarves (it was cold tonight in Sarasota!), toted along a bucket of dog treats, and headed across the park to Renaissance Manor to visit our neighbor Mr. Dennis – that’s who Daree wanted to surprise first.  It turns out Mr. Dennis was working on some disaster prep tasks when we arrived, but he took time out to invite us in to meet a few of his friends, got everybody a drink of water, and then even offered to come along with us for the caroling. 

Here is a pic of everybody meeting some of Mr. Dennis’ friends.  It was neat to see the halls decorated for the holidays at Renaissance Manor, and their lit-up tree was huge!  

Next we headed over to the D’s grandpa’s house, which is less than a block away.  We knocked on the door and then sang at the top of our lungs, but no one was home except maybe the puppies!  So…on to the next house…

We decided to stop off at our neighbors the Duprees, since their house was just a couple doors down.  Reverend Dupree is the former mayor of Sarasota, and was the high school principal back when some of the neighborkids’ parents were students.  He is also the pastor of Koinonia Baptist Church.  The Duprees came to our end-of-summer barbecue on 15^th Street, so it was good to see them again.  It turns out that Mr. Dennis and the Duprees already know one another too!  Another example of how we are “a neighborhood family,” as Mr. Dennis likes to say.  The Duprees were staying in this evening because it turns out that last night they didn’t get home til way after midnight – that’s how long their New Year’s church service lasted!  We sang “We Wish You a Happy New Year,” and then decided to head back home because Da’Sean noticed his aunt’s car had arrived, which meant dinner would be ready soon.

Thanks to Dareeona’s suggestion and encouragement, and a little improvisation, tonight turned out to be a fun way of reconnecting with some neighbors, meeting a few more, and creating another shared memory that all of us will be able to look back on months (and maybe years!) from now.   Cheers!