Motivation logo

To All Those Who Keep their Christmas Lights Up Through The Winter…Thank You.

You make our cold dark winter nights a little brighter.

By Kimberly CrawfordPublished 4 years ago 3 min read
Like

The other night, I was driving my kids back to a school function at 5:30 on a country road in complete darkness. No moon, just my headlights in the pitch black. Periodically along my drive, I would see a few shining beacons of sparkling Christmas lights that would brighten up my otherwise dim ride. It struck me how nice it was to see those gleaming lights in an otherwise bleak and dispiriting night.

In the midst of one of the coldest and darkest months of the year those twinkling lights made me feel that although the most “festive” time of the year was over, the spirit is still alive and well. I was just so grateful that during this dreary dark time of year, for a little illumination.

It occurred to me that maybe these people who leave their Christmas lights up might feel exactly the same way that I do. Maybe they also are looking for a way to brighten up the darkness and stave off the winter blues. Perhaps they understand that those glimmering lights bring cheerfulness to the darkened world around us.

Why We Need Those Beacons

I know it's not green to waste electricity but in the land of snow and cold, those lights make life just a bit brighter. During the Christmas Season, it is so uplifting to drive around and see all the shimmering lights. When things go pitch black in January, it is extremely depressing. It’s like the whole world has gone dark.

Seasonal Affective Disorder is a real thing and many people, especially in my neck of the woods, find themselves suffering from it in the winter due to the lack of sunlight and shorter days. At points during the winter, many people often find themselves driving to and from work in almost total darkness. This in itself can be thoroughly depressing.

With almost nothing to look forward to, except a mounting pile of bills and snow, January and February sometimes can leave people with an empty vacant feeling. Although it might sound silly to some, seeing these bright lights twinkling in the darkness, just makes me feel a little lighter and happier.

Propelled through the Season of Light

Lots of people flick the switch on their lights the day after New Year’s without a second thought. The Christmas decorations come down and they move on with their lives. At least they wait until the holiday is over, unlike the commercial world. The way the stores propel us through the year, seasons and holidays, it is enough to give a person whiplash. The economy of sales and fashion fast forwards us through before the season has even begun, let alone another has finished. If you’re looking for a bathing suit in July, you are out of luck. You should have bought that in January, my friend.

The Christmas season is another one of those seasons we are launched through at an extremely high velocity. Even before the Thanksgiving turkey is carved, the Christmas music is blaring, and you can’t walk into a single store without colorful festive decorations smacking you in the face. From there it is a whirlwind of colors and rushing until the actual day arrives. Before you know it, just like that, in a blink of an eye, it’s over. Walk into the stores on December 26th, the Christmas decorations are stuff into the clearance section and Valentine’s hearts are hanging from the ceiling.

No wonder so many people feel the great “let down” once the holidays are over. So much money, work and preparation only to have the carpet ripped out from under you. The holiday is over and we are plunged into utter darkness.

Angels of Light

In recent years, I’ve seen more and more people leaving their lights up. Something compels these angels of light to shed a little light in the darkness for the rest of us. Maybe they themselves are also reluctant to let the light disappear during the darkest time of the year. I mean you spend enough time stringing those suckers up, I can only imagine you probably are a bit reluctant to rip them down in a hurry, especially when it’s minus 10 degrees outside.

Whatever the reason these lights remain on, I, for one, am extremely grateful for the light. I thank you for making the gloom of the dark and cold that much more bearable and a little more friendly. It makes a drive down a dark country road feel a little less lonely.

happiness
Like

About the Creator

Kimberly Crawford

KIMBERLY CRAWFORD is a writer who lives in Upstate New York with her family. Her work focuses on travel, music, and relationships. She writers for Family Traveller, GIGSoupMusic, The Family Backpack, Lessons Learned in Life & Your Tango.

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment

    Find us on social media

    Miscellaneous links

    • Explore
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Support

    © 2024 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.