“Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before! What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas…perhaps…means a little bit more!”
― Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
Riding lets my mind wander and gnaw on things. Like why Christmas feels so different now than it did as a child. Where has the magic gone? Or maybe it’s right here and I don’t even realize it. Christmas means many things and each of us has a different experience from a devout religious embrace to the more secular versions complete with the attendant commercial trappings. I have my own journey through the holidays helped by the focusing nature of a ride on two wheels.
Two years ago on Christmas Eve I was riding the Vespa in a light falling snow in Rothrock State Forest. This year the temperature will be above 60F with light rain. So I looked into my image archive in hopes of finding a little holiday spirit and a Vespa Merry Christmas.
The contrived attempts at seasonal imagery make me smile — and wonder if I could have been electrocuted? It was cold that night and making images with a self-timer on the camera while tethered to lights was a bit frustrating. I don’t recall saying “humbug” though.
I had to include a shot of bringing the Christmas tree home on the back of the Vespa. This was the second time I had undertaken the task and it go a lot of attention from people passing by. In my head as I imagine the “ideal” holiday image I see the Vespa hauling a tree along a snowy road in Currier and Ives fashion.
Seven years ago the tree in our front yard was covered in snow. It reminds me of the feeling I had growing up at this time of year. The magic of lights and dreams and expectations. And the world felt softer and for a time friendlier.
Riding can distill perception to a hyperfocus on the road and the scooter and little else matters — especially when snow is involved. For me, that intense focus opens a door to other things — like the meaning of Christmas. I don’t believe I’ll ever completely exhaust exploration of that topic, at least I hope I don’t ever tire from it, but I have learned a few things.
As much as I like buying things and giving gifts, as the Grinch ponders, Christmas doesn’t come from a store. In Christmas I feel the opportunity for renewal and rebirth in the family of man. What looks dark is bright and hope abounds. And a kinship with others on this mortal coil made just a bit easier with a smile, some cheer and the magic of the holiday.
To each of my friends and acquaintances, to those who read and follow the scooter through the sticks, to all those people known and unknown — I wish you a Merry Christmas. I hope you find your own path through the holiday.
Brent says
Beautiful writings Steve, Merry Christmas Buddy!
Brent
Steve Williams says
Merry Christmas to you Brent! Thanks for the kind words.
Kathy says
Wonderful, thoughtful. Like a plate of warm Christmas cookies.
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Steve Williams says
“…like a plate of warm Christmas cookies.” That’s high praise in my book and I love the imagery it stirs. Thank you so much. Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Robert Snyder says
And a Merry Christmas to you, too!
Steve Williams says
Thanks!
Lowbuckrider says
I have been told I can be a little Grinchy at this time of year, but much like my father in law I love seeing the kids on their shiny new bikes on Christmas morning. I will miss riding down the street and there will be no Christmas lights up. This year has been a little more stressful with my wife being sick, but at least she got out of the hospital so she is home for Christmas, the best present of all.
Steve Williams says
Best wishes for a speedy recovery for your wife. Having the people you love at home is the best gift of all!
Merry Christmas!
Heather says
Merry Christmas to you and your family Steve! Thank you for all the wonderful pictures and well written thoughts you share with us throughout the year. May the New Year bring happiness and marvel =)
Cheers!
Heather
Steve Williams says
Thanks Heather for the kind words and holiday wishes. Happiness and marvel — that would be a great way to start a new year!
Merry Christmas!
Robert Echard says
Have a Chrissy New Year!
Steve Williams says
You too Robert!
Marty says
Merry Christmas to all.
Steve Williams says
Indeed. At to all a good night!
Safety Bob says
Steve,
You have a bit of wonder and surprise in your post here my friend… Christmas lives in each of us.. My memories of Pittsburgh and the snow are brought flowing back in seeing your posts. You make people very happy with your postings and I know that is not payment for all the work that you do, but you are respected and loved for what you do here..
My sincere wish for a safe and wonderful Christmas!
BTW- Love the puppies!!!!!
Bob
Steve Williams says
Thank you Bob for your kind words and for reading my posts. It always helps to know I’m not alone thinking about things. I have lots of great memories of Pittsburgh during the holidays — especially visiting the city with my mother in the 1960s to see Santa Claus at Joesph Hornes, or seeing the trains at Buhl Planetarium, or just walking up to Kauffmann’s Department Store in the snow.
Have a fine Christmas and New Year!
PS — both puppies are snoozing at my feet as I type. I love dogs!
Kitty says
Merry Christmas to all. . .
. . .and to all a good night!
Steve Williams says
Merry Christmas!
BWB (amateriat) says
Yes, Steve, Christmas “changes” with time and age, and at some point in time my feelings toward the holiday soured more than a little. But somehow, I lightened up. Why? Can’t think of a reason at the moment, other than the idea that it takes a lot of energy to hold negative thoughts. I haven’t gone gaga over Christmas again, but I’m certainly a merrier fellow about it than, say, a few decades back.
And…wow. 72 degrees at the moment, and it stopped raining. I think I’m actually going to ride right now. Makes me even happier!
So I warmly greet you the merriest and happiest. And may all your Christmases be…ah, never mind. 🙂
Steve Williams says
We are strange creatures and sometimes it’s hard to figure why we do the things we do or feel the way we feel. Glad you’ve found a merrier path through the Christmas holiday. Be safe on the road!
Merry Christmas!
Conchscooter says
I think its a little like being insane: if you ask yourself if you are, then you’re not.
So wondering where the Christmas of your childhood went means you still remember it and therefore by definition its still with you.
That, or like me you enjoy Calvin and Hobbes re-runs online.
Steve Williams says
I’ve spent a lifetime questioning Michael — myself, my thoughts and everything around me. Life remains curious. So you’re probably right in that the Christmas spirit is alive and well in me somewhere.
Like coffee, Calvin and Hobbes is a taste I’ve not yet developed. More things to explore some day…
Merry Christmas!
Jillypsu says
Merry Christmas Steve and Kim. Here’s to many Vespa rides in the coming year.
Steve Williams says
Thank you Jillian. And Merry Christmas to you and your family.
I won’t tell anyone here that you are sort of a celebrity of sorts in my world!
Merry Christmas!
charlie6 says
Really nice compilation of Christmas past shots! Merry Christmas to you and yours….
Steve Williams says
Thanks Dom. Always interesting to look in the rear view mirror and think about where you’ve been…
Trobairitz says
The weather certainly seems a little topsy turvy this year.
Merry Christmas to you and your family Steve, and all the best for a healthy happy 2016.
Steve Williams says
It has indeed be weird weather-wise. Tomorrow will have us in the mid-60s again at the end of December.
Karl utrecht says
Merry Christmas, Steve. Thanks for all the great photos and thoughts you have contributed throughout the year to my experiences.
I’ll be sending you soon a video my son shot of one of his travels through the Arizona desert on his Motoped Survival. That thing really moves!
And, have a good New year.
Steve Williams says
Thanks Karl. Looking forward to the video. I guess I need to take one out again that doesn’t have any problems.
Have a great new year!
Bill Leuthold says
Your thoughtful words and beautiful photos add to the season. Christmas has changed for all of us, but I find that spending time with my family is the best part. Oh, and riding scooters too.
Steve Williams says
You’re right about family Bill — in the end it’s what matters. How it’s embodied is varied. I’m dreaming of teaching my granddaughter to ride a scooter. If I live that long…
Peter Sanderson says
Well, I think this year I will try to get a Christmas tree on my Vespa as well. How did it ride and do you think I could fit one with my top box on?
Steve Williams says
I always take the top box off and use bungee cords to fasten the tree to the end of the seat and part of the rack. Weight isn’t the issue. Balance of the tree is. And I’ve hauled an eight foot tree so you need to remember that you’re as wide as a car now. Don’t want to run into anything. I ride slow and stay off the fast trafficked roads.