This year is disappearing with the setting sun, faster than the tall and lean hero of a spaghetti western.
The year 2021 will be remembered for alcohol restrictions, night curfews and the unjustified loss of many, many jobs and closing down of a whole slew of businesses.
One can only speculate at the quality of Christmas that these financially burdened families will face.
Let’s hope the spirit of Christmas enables these families to experience the joy of the festive season.
For me, an indication of Christmas, other than seeing shop windows barricaded with toys, was the colourful chains of electric lights suspended from pole to pole along the streets and in public areas.
The more elaborate decorations were possibly light bulb illuminated wire outlines of Santa Claus and his reindeer with the elves.
More elaborate versions of these scenes featured simulated movement of the characters and people would make special trips to town to gawk in awe at these special displays.
Of course, in the dark time in this country, there was money and expertise to accomplish the tasks of putting up these illuminations for the benefit of the citizens.
However, in these enlightened times, is there any money and competent individuals to continue the legacy?
Being on the South Coast, which is a mecca for holidaymakers, the decorating of pedestrian ways and streets with Christmas lights should take place as it has happened in previous years.
The joyous spirit of Christmas used to be a tangible commodity felt by one and all, however, Covid-19 has exercised its negative effect on life as it used to be and I feel, it will take years to shake off the result.
Another sign of Christmas coming was the arrival in the mail of the humble Christmas card.
No number of typed emails, with loving words, smiling wee faces and bunches of flowers carried the same, sweet heartfelt emotions and love that a hand written message in a card did.
Merry Christmas to you and yours, and may you be safe during this festive period.
BIO
Trevor Barnes is a retired gentleman, who recently entered the club of septuagenarians. He was raised and schooled in Port Elizabeth at Grey High School until Std. 8 and finishing his matric year at Pretoria Boys High School. He trained as a cartographer and spent his productive working years on diamond mines or signage companies. His wife and he raised twin sons who presently are working in the UK and UAE respectively. His interests are history, exploring South Africa and meeting people.
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