“Don’t ever lose hope because better days will come.” – Ana Monnar
It was probably the first full week of November when I began noticing Christmas lights strewn across trees, shrubs and rooflines – proudly illuminated before the Thanksgiving turkey makes its debut.
While retailers began installing their Christmas displays back in late September, this was by far the earliest I’d witnessed homeowners, from various neighborhoods, decking the halls before Black Friday.
At first, I was annoyed by the complete disregard for the celebration of Thanksgiving.
While I recognize the motivation of retailers, I find it difficult to understand how anyone could enjoy their Thanksgiving feast with a Christmas tree shining brightly in the front window.
It wasn’t until I was driving home last night, mesmerized by Christmas lights sparkling against the darkness of the night sky, that I realized something.
Better days are ahead
Even though it was before Thanksgiving, they managed to make me smile.
They made me remiss about better days, when life was a little easier and people were a little kinder. About memories of family and friends, who are no longer with us, who always made the holidays so merry and bright.
And the innocence of childhood when we suspend our disbelief in support of a jolly old man all dressed in red and his magical reindeer as they deliver toys to children all over the globe.
The state of today’s society is alarming at times. Our current climate is fueled by hate, power, greed and blame from our government offices to our schools and businesses to our very own homes.
So much so that I can’t help but wonder if this proliferation of Christmas lights so early in the season is humanities way of bringing a little joy to the world.
To inspire and unite communities and neighbors with the simplicity of the season, and the feelings of love, kindness and generosity we all long for today.
I end this post with a quote from Robert Breault: “As you wait for better days, don’t forget to enjoy today, in case they’ve already started.”
What a beautiful thing to find in my inbox this morning!
I, too, had been gritching about the retail rush to Christmas (and the fact that my neighbors’ lights across the street have illuminated the front rooms of my house since the day after Halloween!).
Today I will look at them differently.
Thanks for the reminder that most times all we have to do is look at life another way to see its beauty.