There was a palpable clamor and the sounds of people
engaging each other lasted well into the night, troubles and insecurities
became overrun by the welcome waves of good cheer for a night when anyone could
join in on the sparkling cool breezes blowing in from the pacific. Walking
anywhere was singular in the way people were engaged in meeting the eyes and
greetings of their fellow city dwellers, riding a super saturated tide of
pride, openness and sincere smiles.
It was enough that the home team brought
accolades and a rainy parade through the center of town, but even more, there
was little reason to be engaged in the isolation of earbuds or LED screens or
stone faces bent on moving from one destination to another undisturbed.
What was this change, what was this difference in timbre
that held and took another night of costumes and parties and made it fine with
celebration and good will? I was reminded of times before personal electronics
dominated the public spirit as many I saw and met were not engaged in a silent
glowing meditation, I had almost forgotten that feeling when those around us
can willingly become part of our path even if just passing in the crosswalk,
compliments on costumes and cheers for this city we all live in; our collective
embrace shining and strong.