Рождественские впечатления.
Хочу поделиться маленьким отрывочком из моего письма приятелю, написанным в ответ на поздравления с праздником 26-го декабря сего года, на следующий день после Рождества:
«Christmas falls on a different day for me, so December 25 I observe and enjoy the inimitable air of America. On this day America rests. It turns off the storefront lights. There are no disturbing noises. There is no rush. America stops and lives within houses on this glorious day. America is like a daddy that has three jobs and a bowling addiction, it loves you but you never get to see it. On Christmas, daddy is at home, his necktie loosened, beer in hand, sprawled on a couch in the living room, smiling. America is very peaceful this day. I think it is because it does what it knows in its heart of hearts is the thing to do every day: it believes and loves.
And today, one day later, the radio stations stop playing carols, stores open -- sleepily but dutifully. There are some reminders of the Day for a while: Christmas lights here and there, leftovers for lunch, gift wrappers in the recycling bin. But America won't be the same for eleven months, until next Thanksgiving. Daddy is back to working three jobs to bring home the bacon and has no time for you, son.»
«Christmas falls on a different day for me, so December 25 I observe and enjoy the inimitable air of America. On this day America rests. It turns off the storefront lights. There are no disturbing noises. There is no rush. America stops and lives within houses on this glorious day. America is like a daddy that has three jobs and a bowling addiction, it loves you but you never get to see it. On Christmas, daddy is at home, his necktie loosened, beer in hand, sprawled on a couch in the living room, smiling. America is very peaceful this day. I think it is because it does what it knows in its heart of hearts is the thing to do every day: it believes and loves.
And today, one day later, the radio stations stop playing carols, stores open -- sleepily but dutifully. There are some reminders of the Day for a while: Christmas lights here and there, leftovers for lunch, gift wrappers in the recycling bin. But America won't be the same for eleven months, until next Thanksgiving. Daddy is back to working three jobs to bring home the bacon and has no time for you, son.»