Christmas Day during the pandemic of 2020


It's Christmas Day 2020, and the world is in the midst of one of the worst pandemics in history. Or not, of course, depending on who you talk to. I live in Arizona, and opinions are very strongly divided. Speaking for myself, I'm inclined to agree that there's a disaster going on all over the world, especially in the United States, but I know a lot of people who firmly believe that it's all an exaggeration, invented by the media, that sort of thing. Since I've been wearing a mask since last April, when it wasn't even suggested to do here in Arizona, you know where I stand. I also wore a seat belt long before it was required, too. So the best that I can do for you on this Christmas morning in the year 2020 is to tell you what I see.

Right now, it's dark with a light rain so I'll be waiting a bit before I head out to pedal around, which is what I've been doing for about three years now. I own a recumbent trike and live in a quiet suburban neighborhood in the Phoenix area, and have enjoyed just noodling around in the mornings. Normally I stop at McDonalds for a to-go coffee (their dining area has been closed for months with no signs that it will re-open, but I'm not concerned for their business, which is mostly drive-through - this is suburbia, after all!). But today I won't be stopping anywhere so I'll be taking along some coffee, which will keep me warm, along with bundling up a bit. It's in the low forties, which isn't cold by Minneapolis standards, but it's cold to be out pedaling around!

I love living in Arizona, and I have a lot of friends who don't share the same exact values as I do. Most of them live without wiener dogs (inconceivable to me!), or enjoy watching other people play games, such as football, or who don't ride tricycles in the cold, and I embrace our differences. Of course, when there wasn't a pandemic that was filling up hospitals and killing people, those differences were just kinda funny to me, but today I'm not smiling.

My attitude is, and always has been, positive, with a wish for peace on earth, good will towards men (and women of course!). Deep down, I'm a Humanist, and I have faith that our species will survive. I'm also a man of faith, as I know that often times can be very dark, and the human spirit needs something to cling to in times of despair.

Someday we'll all look back on this, and it will be history, that's how it works. Future generations will wonder what happened, and there will be conflicting reports. This one is mine. Merry Christmas, I'm going for a ride.

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