I have a memory from childhood of going to a house that was lit up like a Christmas tree. I was seven years old.
Twenty years passed and I had a deja vu moment when I hopped in the car with some friends and pulled up to the same street, and to the same house that was imprinted in my mind from all those years ago. It took me a while to get back to 6 Midwood Road in Norwalk.
It is the home of Rick & Joan Setti, who year after year have put up a larger than life Christmas lights displays that tend to include not just the lights but everything from manger displays, wooden cutouts of cartoon characters, quirky Christmas signs, fun facts, and thoughtful tribute sections.
From age 27 to the ripe old age of 30, I have gone back, sometimes many times each year. I took friends, family, I would have taken a stranger just so they could see the lights and breathe in the cold air. Any excuse to soak up the scene out there. Mostly though, to bask in the generosity of the Setti Family.
You see, they don't ask for anything. Sure, there is a small "tip" jar out there because heck, that's got to be a monster electric bill, right?!
Even more than the lights, there is a mailbox for children's letters to Santa that Mr. Setti surely gets to the North Pole in time, and a guestbook to sign your name or write a cute little note. And if you stop by on Christmas Eve with the family, there are cameo appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus every year.
While I am sure the people of Norwalk and beyond are sad, Rick & Joan deserve a huge "thank you" for over 25 years, and if you've never been, you must take advantage of it like right now or very, very soon.
I will be sad to see it go.
These last few visits, I snapped lots of photos and always posted a Facebook album, I Tweeted, and I wrote short articles to share with HamletHub readers of a place I truly love. I always signed the book, I always wrote a note, but I had never officially met Mr. Setti. I said "hello" when he popped out a few times but never introduced myself. This year I actually saw him as he was shutting down for the night and told him how much he spreads Christmas happiness, if even for a moment, and I thanked him personally, introduced myself this time, and shook his hand. I never wanted to mention that I was a writer because even though they've gotten some press on their 25th anniversary and currently with this year being the grand finale, I don't think he did it for the headlines, but rather out of the goodness of his heart and his overall love of Christmas and spreading cheer.
I guess, maybe now he'll know if someone passes this piece onto him. So if you do see this and you remember the dude with curly hair that showed up before closing time with his two friends a few times, THIS is my personal "Thank You" to you and "Congratulations on over 25 years.”