Mardi Gras is more than a party.

Mardi Gras is more than a party.

Growing up in New Orleans , I have experienced many festivals, parties, and of course many Fat Tuesday’s.

As a child in the seventies and eighties, Mardi Gras was a celebration of community, families , friends , the city, and life. There is much symbolism to the holiday but the lessons that it taught me are embedded into my spirit.

My first Mardi Gras seasons were fascinating and beyond anything a child could imagine. The sights , sounds ,marching bands, costumes , horses, beads , and doubloons were a combination of Willy Wonka,Walt Disney, and Barnum & Bailey rolled into one. We would sit in huge high chairs propped on tall ladders and watch as the revelry rolled down the street. It seemed that the object was screaming as loudly as possible ,”Throw me something mister” at the tremendous, epic, beautiful rolling works of art called floats while catching and accumulating as many beads, decorated party-cups, doubloons and trinkets as possible. And somewhere along this journey of growing up with carnival, a maturation occurs where the carnival becomes a part of you.

Our kings and queens wore purple standing for justice; gold for power; and green for faith. Our anthem is  “If Ever I Cease to Love”.Growing up here in the city , I thought we were indeed all royal.

Laissez les bons temps rouler is a Cajun French phrase that is literally translated from the English expression, “Let the good times roll.” It is synonymous with our city of New Orleans and it’s not necessarily about partying but about enjoying life, community, family, friends and coming together to marvel at it all ,as it rolls on by.

Mardi Gras is a reminder to celebrate life, to go with the flow , enjoy the good times and and each other ,regardless of political affiliation, race, sex , religion, education or income. It is a reminder to laugh, have fun and to not take life so seriously. It taught me that everyone is related , we are all one big family and our spirits are what bring the magic to life.

Mardi Gras is more than a party. It is a magical way of living and experiencing life.

Happy Mardi Gras!

Melissa Rose Rothschild

Comments