Friday Night Zoo Lights

I decided to take a trip to our local zoo to see the Christmas light displays. I realized I had not gone out and taken many photos lately and I was looking for a way to force myself into the Christmas spirit. I have not joined the official insurgency against Christmas, I think I am a member of the ambivalence brigade. Most of my work colleagues are stressing out over whether they got enough stuff for their families and picking up at little OT to do so.

Another colleague and I pitched an idea in a meeting because we thought our gift exchange was ridiculous. We suggested that we all make a donation to a toy fund at work, after all we are a pediatric institution. It wasn't my idea but I pushed it pretty hard because the person who had it was getting annoyed by the tepid response and has a tendency to get vocal when angry. A follow up email indicated that while it was a great idea, it would have to be strictly voluntary because a few in our leadership group were not "keen" on abandoning our gift exchange.

As I wandered around the displays I was haunted by questions and ghosts. I thought of my grandmother who is struggling to maintain her independence in failing health and dwindling eyesight. She can see but despite surgery, it is getting fuzzy and details are not always apparent to her. When I show her my pictures she smiles and says they are lovely and we both know she is lying. She doesn't want to hurt my feelings and I don't want to remind her of what she is losing.

I saw with some relief that kids still do love lights. Man has always battled to harness both metaphorical and actual light. Will the children I saw last night be thrust into a Hobbseian world that pits brother against brother for the few dwindling resources? Will the idea of Christmas lights be a laughable myth that people repeat scornfully to one another? If we all just do one little thing to try and make things better will it be enough? My hope is guarded.

The snow in this first photo is not real....

Thanks for having a look. Please show me a few of your holiday themed pictures.