As a kid, Christmas Eve seemed to last forever. Watching grass grow or paint dry have nothing on a church service when you’re five. An unending series of sermons, hymns, and “please rise” swirled above our heads as my sister and I played tic-tac-toe on paper scraps found in the pews. This was followed by a slow drive to a party for grownups and a slower drive home. No amount of wishing, hoping or praying from a five yearold could hasten Santa’s arrival.
At 53, the opposite is now true. It feels like Christmas was just here. Has it really been a year since I last installed Rudolph, Frosty and Penguin in our front planter? How has a year come and gone so quickly?
Some say our perception of time is related to its percentage of our life. Twelve months is 20% of a five-year old’s life, so it feels longer. That same year is just 2% of my life today, so it seems to pass more rapidly. To use a Christmas analogy, it takes a lot of lights to circle the bottom of the tree. By the time you’re old enough to reach the top, you only need a handful of lights to circle the tree.
Perhaps radio is to blame. Stations used to wait until after Thanksgiving, but now Mariah starts singing November 1st. Maybe it’s retail? Costco had Christmas trees for sale in September. When there’s only ten months between the sights and sounds of the season, that has to mess with your perception of time.
Whatever the cause, I’m happy the holidays are here. As this issue makes clear, there are tons of events around town this year. From the Christmas tree lighting and snow zone, to the Festival of Trees and Christmas in the Gazebo, there is something for everyone. From all of the folks who make this magazine possible, happy holidays to you and yours.
Scott and Anne
SCOTT & ANNE ROGERS
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