Road trip anyone? Ask me that and I can't pack my bags fast enough, even if I have no idea to what part of the state, country, or world the adventure will take me. I'm a sucker for any kind of new experience, especially if it's exploring places I've never been or getting to take part in a something I've only heard about and lived vicariously through other's stories and pictures.
That's how I ended up on the streets of Mobile, AL for the 2011 opening Mardi Gras parade. As the masked mystery men rode by on their elaborately decorated floats and horses, they tossed thousands of beads to the cheering crowds only a few feet away behind the barricades. Beads of all colors and sizes sailed through the air, along with stuffed animals, moon pies, streamers, and other coveted hand-outs. The hypde and excitement cannot be described, but as so many people told me before, "It's just something you HAVE to experience!"
Once the parade ended, we made our way to the Mobile Convention Center; ladies dressed to a "T" in our formal gowns and the fellas looking sharp in their tails, ready to "eat, drink and be meery" by dancing the night away. Decorations abounded in the different rooms, which complimented the bright costumes the masked members of the Mardi Gras organizations adorned. The whole night was amazing, from dancing to the upbeat music of different bands, to being part of call out when the masked men are recognized by the crowd and pay their respects to the Mardi Gras queen, to even seeing the houses decorated with gold, green, and purple wreaths and banners. It's a whole different world and culture from anything I had experienced.
But understanding the history and importance of such events has become more of a priority as I associate myself with different life and cultural experiences. Upon further reading and researching (here's where the self-proclaimed nerd in me comes out!), the history of this great celebration holds greater importance than I first realized.
From the well-known site Wikipedia: "Mardi Gras is French for 'Fat Tuesday' referring to the practice of the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of Lent, which starts on Ash Wednesday. Lent lasts 46 days (40 days not counting Sundays) before Easter. Ash Wednesday derives its name from the practice of placing ashes on the foreheads of adherents as a sign of repentance."
Little did I realize that this celebration season is yet another reminder of the greatest sacrifice that one single man made for the people He loves the most. An unselfish, everlasting, all-impacting walk upon a hill and shameful death opened the door for freedom to explore the joys of this world; the freedom to love and laugh, cry and question; the ability to overcome and conquer the fears and challenges life presents; the choice to have hope for eternity that cannot be stripped away.
The colors of the Mardi Gras ball and costumes, in all their grandeur, truly pale in comparison to the natural beauty of this world, but even more of the unseen mansions lining the streets of gold awaiting us. In the same way the ball attendees enjoyed the food, wind and dancing at the party and paid respects to the Mardi Gras queen, we will all relish in a never ending party that mere words cannot describe and our little minds cannot conceive as we pay our respects for the loving relationship with a man who gave us His all.
Until that final party, I'll continue to pack my bags for the adventures of life and as the French say in this seasonal celebration, "Laissez les bons temps rouler!" (Let the good times roll!)
No comments:
Post a Comment