Most Depressing New Year’s Eve Ever
As a boy, my New Year’s Eves were always the same. My parents’ anniversary is 12/31 and they always took off for a day or two to be by themselves….
NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 1: The New Year’s Eve ball drops in a mostly empty Times Square on January 1, 2021, in New York City. On average, about one million revelers are drawn to the Crossroads of the World to watch performances and celebrate the New Year. This year a limited live audience of about 40 first responders and essential workers were allowed to watch the New Years’ ball drop from a secure area in Times Square. (Photo by David Dee Delgado/Getty Images)
David Dee Delgado/Getty Images
As a boy, my New Year's Eves were always the same. My parents' anniversary is 12/31 and they always took off for a day or two to be by themselves.
As sweet, grandmotherly lady named Mrs. Turner always came to stay with my sister and me. Inevitably, we would spend some time on the street with kids shooting off fireworks and then come inside to watch "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve."
I remember seeing the throngs of people in Manhattan's Times Square and thinking, "Man, what a party. THAT'S how you ring in the New Year."
And every year since, no matter where I am or what I am doing, I always find a way to watch the ball drop on "New Year's Rockin' Eve."
Last night, when I turned it on, the picture above is what I saw. Whereas there are usually literally, MILLIONS of people united in the party spirit in downtown New York, last night...well, I think I could have fit all the people I saw in my car.
In the most depressing year of my life, perhaps there could be no more depressing site than an empty Times Square. Perhaps, it's fitting. I mean, what else could signify the dumpster fire that this last year has been?
Look, I KNOW the reasons why Times Square was empty (and I don't disagree), but I think I've always looked at the big ball dropping on "Rockin' Eve" as a sign of passage and a sign of hope for the new year.
I have high hopes for 2021, I really do. I just think I was looking for something to kickstart that hope last night, and it never came.
To see it drop to an empty street left me feeling just as empty inside.
