So we can all see the awful words trending this Christmas morning, of all days, on X, and it immediately reminded me of something.
My wife and I were in the car a few days ago, and we were slowly driving around looking at the various Christmas decorations in our neighborhood and adjacent neighborhoods. I've posted a few pics on X over the past month just to solicit reactions. Some are spectacular, others wonderful, and others minimalist but still terrific.
When we finished and slowly drove back to the Manic Contrarian Compound, something heavy came upon me. I was suddenly melancholy. Which was the very opposite of what I should have been feeling after looking at Christmas lights and decorations.
So, as I often do, I shared my feelings with my wife, with whom I am well pleased, as to what it was that was bothering me. I told her I had a strange feeling of sorrowfulness. Something was missing in the moments we stopped to admire the work of our neighbors' festive efforts. And the best I could surmise was that what was missing was America's greatness and, more importantly, her people's basic goodness.
Two things struck me and stood out in my mind as we drove quietly, only breaking the silence to comment on what we saw, I don't think she noticed, and if she did, she said nothing, but the first thing was there were far fewer lit up homes in the neighborhood. Meaning fewer neighbors who put in the effort to decorate. Why is that? Second, while we drove up and down those streets we knew to have the most decorations, only one car was behind us taking in the lights and sights.
It used to be the line of cars carrying admirers of the Christmas spirit on full display was longer than you could count. And yet, this year, only two. My wife and I, and whoever it was that was behind us. This spoke volumes to me. It conveyed a sense that nothing is how it used to be. Everything seems to be different.
There's a meme making its way around X right now that asks you to give yourself a point for everything on the list that you've NEVER done.
— Jacob Huneycutt (@jacobhtyler) December 22, 2023
I got zero points. My wife got two points. But all of the items on the list were things that were once considered, if not really great, normal and ubiquitous. The list represents a bygone era. And I realize right now, as I write these words, I miss that era of America.
And it also occurs to me as I write this that it isn't only the things on that list that are gone, but also gone are many people who I loved, admired, found fascinating, interesting, and entertaining... I'm thinking of both my parents, my grandparents, several of my friends that I met when I was young, but they weren't. People who supported me, advised me, influenced me, encouraged me, and even defended me.
I suppose it's normal to do this sort of an inventory or thought exercise at the end of the year. You know, Auld Lang Syne. But this year, for some reason, it hurts more. Because while I've always chosen to be an optimist and believe the best of times are still ahead, I don’t think I believe that anymore, and maybe that is what is hurting the most.
