Ho, Ho, Home for the Holidays
that jumps by around $100 for December, but
the reactions Owens receives from spectators
are priceless.
“I’ve been doing this for so long that adults who
visited as children years ago are now bringing their
children to see the house. I have grandchildren
now, also, who love it and that makes me happy,”
he said.
“Many families stop and ask to take their
holiday family photos in front of the garage,” he
added. “A favorite story I love is the year that it was
raining heavily, and I had turned everything off.
I had a knock on my door, and there was a large
van from an area retirement home out front. The
driver asked if I would turn the lights on for the
residents in the van, and I did. Their faces lit up,
too, and that just made my Christmas.”
Owens keeps the lights on around the clock on
Christmas Eve and Christmas night for everyone
coming home late from midnight services. But
then, the next day dawns. “The worst day of
the year is December 26th,” he said, “because I
know Christmas is over, and I have to take it all
down soon.”
Yet, for Owens, the Christmas spirit of love,
joy and family abounds all year long. And he
loves meeting the people who visit his home
along the way. “Just enjoy yourself, bring the
whole family,” he said. “To me, if one child gets
enjoyment out of it and their eyes light up, it
makes it all worthwhile.”