The Opposite of Christmas

Photo © Rob Jones

I was pondering, over hotel breakfast this morning …. as you do.

There was a time when I would take a book to breakfast, or a newspaper, or more latterly the smart phone to occupy my eyes and thoughts, while all around me were sat in couples and groups chatting happily. But not any more.

I was reminded of the words of a writer local to my home town of Newport, W.H. Davies. He grew up in his grandmother’s house with his brother, sister, a maidservant, a dog, a cat, a parrot, a dove and a canary. He was given the birch for stealing handbags. Ran away to America and lost a leg jumping from a train.

Anyhow…. he wrote:

“What is this life if, full of care, we have no time to stand and stare.”

So, that’s what I do. Stare, that is. And that sets me to thinking…..

… that there are some who obey the rules, and some that don’t.

Some wear masks, and some won’t.

Some have coffee and some have tea. Some drink, some abstain. Some have marmite on their toast (me). Some are vegetarians and wouldn’t touch bacon with a barge pole. Some are gluten intolerant. Some are simply intolerant. Seemingly the majority these days.

There were such high hopes as Covid gripped the nation that a better world would be built from the ashes, where we would all help one another and work towards creating a different caring society.

But it’s not happening.

As a life long news junkie, I am finding it increasingly difficult to watch or listen to the news. Social Media has become an absolute no-go area. It’s full of binary arguments. No middle way. No tolerance. No grey areas. No give and take. No compromises.

I wonder what I’ll think about tomorrow over breakfast.

R.