Mardi Gras ain't my thing anymore. When I was a boy, growing up in New Orleans, I lived for Mardi Gras. As I got older I could recite the schedule of every Mardi Gras parade. Once in college and seriously dating the girl who would be my wife, we devised a way to attend almost 40 parades over the traditional 11 day parade season. We often paid the price too for such excesses. Once married with children, we kept the pace, this time we opted more for the neighborhood and suburbs parades. As my children grew older, particularly my son, we would make it to some of the big night parades and Mardi Gras day. Even when we moved to the Northshore of New Orleans, my daughter and I would attend the local festivities and she actually marched in several parades.
And then one day it was over. My obsession/love affair with all things Mardi Gras passed quickly. In fact today, I would say the best thing about Mardi Gras is it ends and Lent begins or that I don't participate. As my priorities in life changed and my faith life became the most important thing to me, I was amazed at how much I and a couple 100-thousand of my closest friends invested in frivolous things like Mardi Gras.
Now don't get me wrong; Mardi Gras is tradition, it is cultural, it is an important part of my city, region and state and it is steeped in Catholic roots. But by the year 2015, and long before now, Mardi Gras is over the top full of excess, perverted by this world, somewhat dangerous, and more and more pagan. So I, coming to this very important and personal conclusion, have left Mardi Gras behind and push on with that which is important to me. I hate that, much like another NFL season or summer vacations, all things faith are expected to suffer because you can't let the passing parade pass you by. Again, I understand many can do it all and are well balanced, but at the end of the day, despite it's roots Mardi Gras resembles little to nothing that resembles faith. So for me, it no longer is a priority.
I do not condemn or look down on anyone who embraces Mardi Gras as I once did. I am not now nor never would call for and end to the Mardi Gras experience, although the sexual accesses and drunken foolishness should have nothing to do with anything Mardi Gras.
So tonight, I am relaxing in my hotel room, snow and ice flying, just a few miles down the road from my # grandson. This is where I want to be. I have no remorse at missing anything Mardi Gras, in fact I'm actually more concerned that my travel schedule takes me far away from Ash Wednesday and 1st Friday of Lent activities back home. But that all is ok as I spend my time cherishing all things family.
So Happy Mardi Gras everybody, and don't hate me because it just ain't my thing anymore!
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