As We Seated and Were Darkened

The other night I was out in the car with my son and we decided to drive by a house that we have driven past every year at this time, in order to see its over the top, fairly outrageous, holiday light display.

As we approached, I reminded my son, “You can see the lights from blocks away,” but we saw nothing. As we got closer, still dark. Then, we came upon the house. No lights whatsoever.

This was a surprising and deflating end to our impromptu quest. This house has for years had lights, statues, and inflatables all over the lawn. It was one of those houses that had multiple cars slowed to a stop in front of it every evening during December. I was truly surprised to see nothing but empty lawn and darkened windows.

Then, we wondered, what happened here? Is this formerly bright display, which brought light to many, a victim of the economy? Had the house changed hands? Had the Producer of this Holiday Display taken ill or passed away?

These questions will remain unanswered. We live several towns away from the display and don’t know any of the neighbors (such was the grandeur of this display that it drew us, and others, I’m sure, from miles away). We have no way of knowing why the lights are out this year. Perhaps they will return, and I’ll check back next year to see, just in case. For now, however, our questions remain. What happened and why?

There are, of course, many bigger and broader issues that beg the questions “what happened and why,” but the “littler” issues ones count, often very deeply, in our heart. I wonder about this house and the person who wanted to display his/her holiday spirit in such a visible, public fashion. Do they know their display and the light they shared is missed? I’m sure we weren’t the only car to drive by with its occupants deflated that night, and there will be many more in the nights to come. We will not be alone in our unanswered question, what happened?

All I can do for the Master of the Display is hope and pray for the best. If the economy crippled their financial ability to light up the night, I hope for better times ahead. If illness or death has interrupted or ceased the tradition, I pray for health or repose of their soul. If they simply moved to another home from which to display their Holiday Spirit, I wish them and their new audience all the best, and I can only hope to stumble upon their next display, or another like it, as I did this one some eleven years ago.

For me, while disappointing, this was an interesting journey with an unexpected twist at the end. It is a trip that I will remember every bit as much, if not more, than the journeys that ended with a view of the lights. I’m glad I shared this trip with my son, one more memory for each of us from his childhood. As I ponder the questions of what happened to the display and why, I am keenly aware that any of the possible explanations of why could be the situation here, and anything can happen to any of us at any time. I cherish each view of the lights, and each enjoyable moment with my sons.

We didn’t see Christmas lights that night, but I had one of the lights of my own life beside me for the whole ride home.