Infinite Jest

-Posted by Isaac

Have you found The Light?

Or are you a perpetual seeker?

My cousin and I sat in back at the Christmas Eve service on Tuesday. We were waiting to go up for the cantata, looking out at all our friends, neighbors and family. The good people we’ve known since birth. We had a revelation of sorts. Scanning that congregation, I think the epiphany hit us at the same moment because we looked at each other, looked back out, and said the same thing— we’re getting old.

Yes, we’re sure getting old.

But thankfully there’s always the next generation to help us forget, albeit fleetingly, our own mortality.

Christmas morning began as usual. An early bright flurry of opening presents.

Followed by sugar.

Followed by more family and more noise.

One gift quickly became more popular than the others.

That’s right! The legendary Red Rider BB gun.

We’re now filling hours with target practice and walking the woods. Looking for… who knows? I’m amazed and happy the kids are enjoying this so much. And we have yet to shoot an eye out.

I’m also pleased that we’ll now be able to defend ourselves against a tyrannical government.

Even if they catch us in our jammies.

The 2nd Amendment folks were right all along.

The awesome weather continues. Sixty degrees and sunny— a Christmas gift to surpass all others.

If ever you’re undecided as to how to pass the time on a beautiful sunny afternoon, just ask the goats. It’s inspiring. I’m often humbled to be in the presence of such enlightened beings.

Of course our other enlightened beings were also out enjoying Christmas…

On my way to visit the goats, I grabbed an old protein tote on a whim, thinking that the bees may enjoy a little treat.

Boy was I right! Within minutes they had figured it out, and within hours they had finished it. I ended up watching the feast for probably over an hour. Laughing. The sun felt so good, I sort of lost myself. I was feeling mellow with Iron and Wine rolling through my ear buds. The kids were happy. Nobody needed me. I sat down and soon started laughing. I really can’t explain why. Happiness? Nirvana? Somehow it was all so hilarious. Watching those bees dive in and zip back out. Seeing that dusty yellow mountain sink one grain at a time. The bees rolling in the stuff, cleaning themselves, flying off.

Fantastic and funny at once. Just as I neared some kind of hazy oblivion, the famous David Foster Wallace commencement speech came into my ears. This Is Water. I had YouTubed the Iron and Wine, and for some reason that speech was next on the play list. (Introspective Day on YouTube?)

So I listened.

All 22 minutes. Still laughing.

Bees, thought, music and sunshine. Is this The Light? Had I finally stumbled into it?

I think so. And it’s extremely amusing. I can’t begin to comprehend.

Unfortunately it couldn’t last forever. I finally had to get up and pack for the trip to Grandma’s. Back into orbit, back to the perpetual seeking. But I walked away feeling like this was bound to be one of the more memorable Christmas days— the one where I found the Buddha.