A Little Lady with a Giant Christmas Spirit

by Jackie Devine

Dulce Cain, a native Venezuelan, met and fell in love with her husband, Jim Cain, when he was on assignment in Venezuela. He asked her to marry him and move to the United States. Forty-three years ago, she said yes, and they have been happily married ever since. Dulce combines her Venezuelan heritage with her adopted American life to create a melded traditional holiday season. They have a blended family of seven children. Together they have 18 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild

Many folks in Cypress hire a team of elves to help them decorate for the holidays. But not Dulce Cain. If you want to talk about

the holiday spirit, Dulce has it!

When Dulce invited me to her home to see her Christmas collections, I could tell that she felt Christmas was one of the most memorable times of the year and that she was determined to make sure her home would be filled with magic and tradition.

She led me into her formal dining room, which now served as a salute to Christmas. I found a beautifully illustrated snow village laid out with 49 illuminated houses, stores, and churches on my right. Everywhere I looked was a different scene. Trains were zooming through the countryside; carolers were caroling, trolleys were delivering shoppers, and children were sledding down the mountainside.

To my left, I discovered an elaborate Venezuelan village with over 100 tiny houses made of wood or ceramics, brightly hand-painted and creatively lit. I could feel the excitement of the miniature villagers as they ushered in the yuletide season. Festive miniature trees filled every available nook and cranny. Little people appeared to be dancing, singing, and having a grand old time. Just like an actual city, cars swept through the village, people shopped, and carolers spread joy.

Dulce then escorted me toward her living room, where an illuminated tree in silver and gold hues delighted my eye and gave me a nostalgic sense of a classic tree collected-over-time look. As we moved down the hall, I found numerous collections of one-of-a-kind nativity scenes and displays of the angelic realm.

As we moved into the kitchen and great room, what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a host of Santas, more trees, scores of poinsettias, and what felt like hundreds of candles all lit and welcoming me into the room.

There is no doubt; I was truly blessed to be the recipient of a one-of-a-kind local Cypress Christmas tour. But, equally important, I've since learned that having a home all decked out for the holiday season can not only put a spring in a person's step but also elevates one's frame of mind. Thankfully, I was one of the beneficiaries.

I'm convinced that having the holiday spirit brightens our mood, lifts our attitude and promotes mental health well into the new year.

Dulce genuinely has discovered the recipe. I know because I was the beneficiary of her love and dedication to the spirit of Christmas.

Copyright © 2021 Peel, Inc. Fairfield Community Gazette - December 2021 7