Having recently attended the Washington Christmas parade, it made me realize that these are the best of times! The innocent smiles of kids up and down Main Street and the look on Mom’s and Dad’s faces made me realize that a child’s innocence is what maybe we all need, and yet, it was a perfect post card for our downtown — all is good. The best of times!

From just before Thanksgiving, until the end of December, we all seem so happy. We all are happy, positive and the air is full of excitement about almost everything. Our downtown retailers and restaurant owners are upbeat and hoping to finish the last quarter on a strong note. Some say it is the most wonderful time of the year, and for our retailers, we hope it is.

It is the time of the year for families to reconnect and enjoy the times they have together, and the special bond between parents and children are truly shared. Our family pride swells with the expectations of children and grandchildren returning home for the holidays. College students return home for a long vacation between semesters, and their proud parents are beaming with pride. All of this plays into the smiles as we walk down our central business district.

Our local businesses need us now more than ever! Did you know that for every $100 spent at a local, family owned business that $68 will stay in our community? Spend that same $100 at a large-scale online retailer, and none of it will remain in our local economy! This matters. You will help create jobs, promote community development, fund more city services, support local charities and will help us keep our Washington downtown viable and productive.

Friends, these are the best of times for us all. Having suffered through a bitter political year, tragedy (both nationally and locally) and other imaginable horrors, we need to continue to smile and enjoy this holiday season. We have looked forward to it since last year, and the bills will get paid afterwards.

Somehow, they always do. Let us let the eyes of young children brighten our life with hope for prosperity because they are looking up to us. And is it not our responsibility to provide for them?

This brings me back to shopping local. Please support your locally owned retailers and restaurants, and enjoy all that they offer. Do not forget to stop by Russell’s, Bloom, Big Bargain Furniture, Down on Main, Ingalls’s Printing and Sloan Insurance Agency to say thanks for helping your WHDA to sponsor our downtown holidays. Also, visit Moss Marina and Park Boat Co. to thank them for sponsoring our Harbor Walk of Lights again this year. Let us also remember the reason for the season and share that with your children, family and friends. Always remember to shop, dine and play in wonderful Washington, and if you have time … take a walk with the H-Rob.

Harold Robinson is the executive director of the Washington Harbor District Alliance.