“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way – in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.”

— Charles Dickens – Opening Sentence/Paragraph of the novel “A Tale of Two Cities”

If you didn’t notice, that opening paragraph is a single sentence. Back when I was in high school English classes, we had to diagram sentences on the chalkboard. That sentence would have been a doozy.

I don’t feel like we’re living through something like the French Revolution, as they were in the story of “A Tale of Two Cities.” But, I’m feeling like we are living through a period of time where we can observe lots of coexisting opposites, like those mentioned in Dickens’ beginning sentence.

There is wisdom and there is foolishness. There is hope and despair. It’s the best of times and the worst of times – depending on our individual perspectives and circumstances.

Things have felt this way to me especially during and since the pandemic. I’ve been thinking about those pandemic times lately.

Certainly, the pandemic didn’t treat us all equally. But we kept saying that “we’re all in this together.” And, I believe we continue to be all in this together now.

Some aspects of those pandemic times treated us equally. I’m wondering if some of you were as equally tired and annoyed at the following phrases as I was, that were used by advertisers in those days: “During these difficult times… Now, more than ever… During these unprecedented times… During these times of uncertainty… In times like these…etc.”

Maybe I was just overly sensitive, but the tone of voice used in the ad campaigns grated on me.

It was so solicitous and parental.

Maybe if I had been on my deathbed, I would have accepted it better. (And, given my age and stage of life, that “bed” could be mine at any time and perhaps that type of voice would feel soothing to me.)

Where I was especially irked, was when I hurriedly read the fine print in the car sales advertisements on TV. The voice over actor reading the script of the ad sounded so sympathetic and caring.

It was explained that the car can be purchased in these “difficult times” with no payments for six months. Then as I read the text on the screen quickly, I read: “Applicable for exceptionally well qualified buyers.” Heck, if I were an exceptionally well qualified buyer, I wouldn’t need six months without a payment.

I know, I know, I’m picky. I will admit that it was nice to see “Jan from Toyota” in a new light. It was like meeting her for the first time after seeing her perky, bubbly, vivaciousness in ads for years.

Little did I know, until I researched, that “Jan” is an actress named Laurel Coppock. (Why couldn’t she just be Laurel from Toyota?)

When I think of the “best of times and the worst of times,” I can’t help but think of the TV ad for a business that enables a person to do their own U. S. Post Office services from their own home or office. The commercial starts with the voice saying, “There’s nothing worse than standing in line at the post office.”

Think about that statement. It’s pretty bold. That’s a superlative that places lines at the post office as worse than lines at the DMV; worse than lines at the restrooms during halftime at football stadiums; worse than lines at a Sanpete wedding reception.

Forget about lines. The claim is that there’s nothing worse than waiting in line at the post office. That line at the post office ranks higher than financial ruin, relationship break-ups, and terminal illnesses.

Our lives during the COVID-19 situation, and right now, are less than ideal for many of us. We all suffer in varying degrees with annoyances, health challenges, and negative situations. Some are affected in major ways with “long Covid” and other impacts that will take long periods of time to rebound from, if a comeback is possible.

How can this be the “best of times?” – I’m wondering. I’ve seen quite a few suggestions of how these times can be a blessing to people.

I’ll just briefly mention one aspect I’ve noticed. I believe that there has been some renewed bonding and appreciation, one for another, among families and friends, and society in general. Weirdly, social separation inspired some closeness.

I believe one thing I learned to some degree is to have a bit more gratitude for life. I’m feeling appreciation for people in general. The limitations during the pandemic weren’t fun.

During the pandemic, I saw comedian Jim Gaffigan’s segment on the TV show “CBS Sunday Morning.” After seven weeks in quarantine with his wife and five children, he discovered that he missed strangers. I felt the same way.

I felt some connection to a meme I saw on the internet: “Turns out my top 3 hobbies are: 1. Eating at restaurants. 2. Going to nonessential businesses. 3. Touching my face.”

I hope that we steer clear of any other pandemic that turns our world upside down again. I believe we’re all ready for an extended period of “the best of times” for Sanpete and the world. — Merrill