Peace, goodwill reign over chaos, green car madness

Ah, the December holidays, that joyous time of year when my little holiday town undergoes a remarkable transformation.

Streets that usually echo with the soft footfalls of locals going about their business suddenly heave with a festive influx of holidaymakers, young and old.

The once calm and quiet atmosphere is replaced by the hustle and bustle of holidaymakers seeking respite.

For local businesses, this seasonal surge is more than just a jolly affair — it’s a financial lifeline.

With business booming, these weeks become critical for swelling coffers, fortifying our local economy for the quieter months.

Small business owners are the undisputed gold standard in my community, exemplifying service, professionalism, and a positive attitude.

Yet, amid the cheer and economic boom, something’s changed.

And it ain’t the locals. There’s a sense of increased stress and bad behaviour that took root as the year wound down and the parties wound up.

Normally, I hibernate during the silly season, avoiding the chaotic dance of traffic and shopping aisles.

However, in 2024, I had a close encounter with an unexpected oddball during a quest for bread and milk at the height of the holidays.

Cruising down a normally quiet road towards the shopping centre, I spotted a shiny green car drunkenly swerving in my direction before nonchalantly settling into my lane and advancing directly towards me.

Vehicular shenanigans are not uncommon, but on the tranquil roads of our holiday haven? That’s a new one.

I executed a sharp left swerve to avoid the impending drama.

The green intruder continued its meandering journey in the wrong lane.

As for its final destination, who knows?

Perhaps safely tucked away in a locked garage on a galaxy far, far away.

This wasn’t an isolated incident; several people shared similar tales of close encounters, prompting us to collectively lament the conspicuous absence of logic during this holiday season.

But amid the chaos and peculiar antics, one thing remained constant — peace and goodwill.

As the holiday wound down, it became evident that, at our core, we’re all simple creatures seeking the same simple pleasures: to love and be loved in return.

In moments of rudeness and road-craziness, I wondered what was fuelling the perpetrators’ discontent.

Perhaps, in the grand tapestry of the holiday season, the oddities and frustrations are mere blips in the larger picture of shared joy and goodwill.

So, here’s to a new year, with renewed hope for a return to holiday harmony and a green car-less horizon.