APRIL 12, 2020 – When I peered out the window this morning, I was happy to see daylight, but unhappy that the sun was hiding behind a thick overcast. As a skiing fanatic, I was happy to see snow on the ground. As a rationale adult I was unhappy to see snow on the ground.
I’m happy that thanks to the technology of a forced-air furnace, on this cold Easter I’ll be able to escape the troubles of our times by reading about the troubles of Robinson Crusoe. I’m unhappy that because of the cold, I can’t read Robinson Crusoe while sitting out on the patio.
On this Easter, I’m made happy by a recording of Renée Fleming performing Mozart’s Exsultate Jubilate in Royal Albert Hall. I’m unhappy wondering when again an audience will hear a live concert in that hall or any other symphony hall in the world.
As a “fallen believer” I’m made happy by the Christian belief in redemption, even from the deepest of “sins”—such as the crucifixion of the Son of God (what of human will could top such arrogance as the killing of divinity?!). But I’m unhappy that essential Christian values—shared by each of the world’s other major religions—are dishonored in the extreme by “extreme” Christians.
I’m happy on this Easter Sunday that everyone in my family is safe and sound but unhappy that we cannot gather in person.
On this Easter, I’m happy my parents and parents-in-law didn’t have to live through the current crisis and that when their times of departure arrived, family and friends could gather to remember, to sing and recite, to laugh and cry, as we celebrated lives well lived. I’m unhappy that the elderly now have to endure isolation from their families and that their families can’t gather when their elderly parents, grandparents die.
I’m happy that as of Easter 2020, many people are stark, raving furious that Trump is still in the White House. I’m unhappy that after nearly three-and-a-half years of patently disastrous leadership, over 0.42%—let alone 4.2% or, for the love of Christ Jesus, 42% of the country—still think it’s okay for a naked charlatan to be head of state.
I’m happy that on Easter, I live in Minnesota, a state with enlightened leadership and a legacy (in the main) of above-average concern for the collective good and support for the notion that we all succeed when all of us succeed. I’m unhappy that I live in a nation where disregard for adequate housing, access to quality education and health care and economic opportunity have turned much of the land into a third rate country, wherein now, in the midst of a pandemic, loss and hardship are imposed disproportionately on those whom we’ve most disregarded. I’m happy I’m lucky. I’m unhappy that my luck is jeopardized by the plight of those who are unlucky.
I’m happy to wish you a Happy Easter, regardless of your belief system or religious tradition; unhappy I can’t say “Happy Easter!” in person.
(Remember to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.)
© 2020 by Eric Nilsson
