What a year!

We moved to La Conner last September and can’t believe a year has gone by already. And what a year it has been! Early on we fell in love with the town, the area and the people. We went to the Halloween parade, Christmas tree lighting, watched the decorated boats cruise down the slough and many other events. We drove down many roads just to see where they went, but most of all we met many wonderful friendly people.

But I must say when we thought it couldn’t get any getter, it did! We have been going to the Sunday afternoon music and dancing in Gilkey Square and met more great people there. Every band has been outstanding! I’ve spent a lot of money on concerts that I’ve not enjoyed as much. And this last Sunday the highlight of our year occurred.

We were watching and listening to the band when a young girl about five got up on the dance floor and started to dance. She looked around and found her dad with a huge smile on his face. So, she continued with her dancing. She had the cutest little brown face peeking out under a beautiful head of pitch black hair. She twirled around in a cute pink and white dress to the music, undaunted by the eyes of the crowd.

When the dance floor got crowded, we could catch glimpses of her dancing among the adults. Her parents looked like they may have been from India or Pakistan and both smiled with pride at her performance.

A short while later an attractive blonde lady brought her adorable little girl up and was encouraging her to dance. She was a little shy at first and not sure what to do. The adults left the dance floor to rest and when the band started again only the two little girls were on the floor. The older one went to the little one and put out her hands and the little girl slapped them thinking she wanted a high five. It took a while, but the older girl was patient and finally got her to hold hands. They danced holding hands and I was about in tears.

When the older one then ran across the floor the little one ran after her with a smile that would light up any room. My wife commented on it by saying our elected leaders should have been there to see that. It is our responsibility to teach our children to respect and accept others. Yet it was on this day that two beautiful little girls, at a time when there is so much hate and divisiveness in our country, taught us, the adults, that lesson. They were from different nationalities, religions and colors and none of that mattered at all. They were friends and dance partners and they were a highlight of our first year.

John and Lora Kuntz

La Conner