For my first three years as a student, they decorated a tree outside, and that was nice. The rotunda tree made its debut when I was a senior. I didn't go that first year. Don't ask me why. It was a long time ago. I'm guessing I was working at WARM at the time. In fact, I don't remember ever seeing that first tree. I loaded up on credits my first two years, and attended classes every summer. By the time senior year arrived, I was rarely on campus.
I also blew off the first several years of the rotunda tree tradition. Don't ask me why again, but I started going back about ten years ago, maybe more. Maybe a little less. It's a nice shot of Christmas, and I really like how Christmas at Marywood doesn't get rolling until AFTER Thanksgiving.
This year was a little strange. Just before I left for Marywood, I was watching the San Bernardino shooting tragedy unfold on television. I arrived on campus the the scene you above-- joy, happiness, innocence, fun, holiday. 180 degrees from what I saw on my TV.
There was actually one stop between home and the rotunda, and I'll have a few words on that next week.
As I walked in to the Liberal Arts building, I noticed quite a few security guards out front. I'm not sure if that was because of world/national events, a recent Marywood bomb scare, or they just wanted to make sure no one parked illegally.
I know nothing as simple as a Christmas tree (even a big one) can take away the sorrow over San Bernardino, but, at least thousands of miles away, it was a few moments of happiness-- the music, the lights, the joy of the children running about on the rotunda floor below.
Before all this started, I intended to use the opening line of "Let's give the weighty issues of the day a rest for a moment..." Sorry. It can't be done. Not now.
Merry Christmas.
