By Ariana Molkara, Staff Writer and Social Media Manager
SABOTAGE: It appears the Grinch has paid us a visit this year in the form of a virus called Covid-19.
Oh there’s no place like home for twenty twe—oh, I mean the holidays. In the pre-pandemic era, families opened travel brochures and decided if they would go on vacation or have a staycation for winter break. Shall we spend Christmas on the sandy beaches of Hawaii with palm trees wrapped in glistening lights or sit by the kindling fire and submit to hot cocoa and cozy, warm blankets from the comfort of home? Well, 2020 made that decision easy by leaving us only one option, or so is advised by the California Stay-At-Home order.
With stores closed, holiday events cancelled, a deadly virus on the loose, and a general gloom in the air, the season feels far from merry and bright. I foresee “Blue Christmas” by Elvis Presley rising above “A Holly Jolly Christmas” by Burl Ives on the holiday charts this year.
I’m sure the little ones are worried too; is Santa Claus going to have to quarantine himself or can he wear an N95 and still deliver presents? So many unanswered questions.
Spending this year in quarantine has been dispiriting and spending the holidays in quarantine has only amplified that feeling. Every year, since I was six years old, my performing team and I would sing at venues throughout the month of December. We sang at the Riverside Convention Center for the Festival of Trees, at The Mission Inn for the Festival of Lights, and the Riverside Community Center For Spiritual Living. We even visited hospitals like Loma Linda, the Riverside University Health System, and Kaiser, singing for children who were receiving treatment. Through these performances, we spread so much joy and that joy was then reciprocated. This time of year is when my heart is most full, but the cancellation of all these programs have left my heart unusually empty.
Going to the Festival of Lights was always one of my favorite traditions. After I performed there, to the funnel-cake vendor it was! I relaxed my vocal chords with tea as I indulged in each bite of powdery, strawberry-covered, whip cream topped, funnel cake heaven. Afterwards, we would take a trip to the antique shop and take a picture with the Santa Claus mannequin who posed before the store. The rest of the night would be spent watching the ice-skaters, catching sight of the horse-drawn carriages, and basking in the magical moment. The streets were always so crowded that you could barely take a step without bumping elbows with someone.
Just a few days ago, I took a quick trip downtown and for a second, I was convinced that I was one of the last survivors of an alien abduction. The heart of bustle and cheer now resembled a desolate desert. Riverside’s Festival of Lights has even been renamed “Christmas Lights at the Inn” to discourage the gathering of large crowds. It almost seems like the grinch-like coronavirus is succeeding in its plan to steal Christmas.
It’s true that this Christmas looks like no other, but maybe, just maybe, we can find the beauty in it. I know, it sounds crazy, but just hear me out. Every year, we are scrambling to buy the perfect gifts, to plan chaotic family dinners, to save up for that one extravagant trip, and to make it through holiday traffic. This year we can escape the typically stress-inducing activities and focus on the true spirit of the season which is grounded in love, thanks, and giving. With Christmas being spent in a more intimate setting, we can enjoy the little pleasures and the company of people that we may have otherwise taken for granted. I’m also assuming that the number one thing on everyone’s wish list this year cannot be placed under the tree. This might open up our eyes to our principles of past Christmases and forever change those of the future.
Sure, Christmas is about sleigh rides and building snowmen and leaving out cookies for a man in a red suit to eat, but it’s also about doing good deeds, finding renewed strength, and healing. Christmas cheer comes from the heart and nothing can take that away. Despite hardship, we can create our own Christmas cheer within ourselves if we just muster the strength to do so.
I’m assuming you know the ending to “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” Spoiler alert: Christmas was saved. Without trees, presents, decorations, or food, the town of Whoville still sang their joyous tune on Christmas morning and the Grinch’s heart grew three sizes. Covid-19 unfortunately doesn’t have a heart that can grow in size and cannot be changed for the better, but we can follow in Whoville’s footsteps and rejoice in the spirit of the season. Though we won’t be able to spend time singing in the streets, we can still stop the Coronavirus from stealing Christmas.
To learn more about COVID-19, please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html