Letter from the Editor: Why the Ghost of Christmas Past and some banana pancakes got me thinking

As Merriam-Webster's Word of the Year for 2020 - in a surprise to absolutely nobody - is "pandemic," I would have to imagine," weird" was not far behind.

Because just as I look back at 1987 and think of Aquanet and 1995 and think of "The Rachel," I know I'll remember 2020 as being super-weird.

There were murder hornets. I have masks to match my outfits. Masks have become a political issue.

But talk about weird. HOOOO BOY. Let me tell you about what happened to me last weekend.

I went out to pick up the mail Saturday morning (and by "morning" I of course mean "noon" because why not? It's the weekend!)

There was a letter from my bank. I'd been expecting it - I have a credit card expiring soon, and I'm waiting for the replacement. It was taking longer than usual.

On Saturday, I found out why.

My bank thinks I'm dead.

"We are unable to send the applicant's updated MasterCard, as information provided by the credit reporting agency indicates the applicant is deceased."

I read it a couple of times while I stood at the mailbox. That is also when I noticed the letter was addressed to my husband. So they REALLY thought I was dead.

Once I got over the initial shock, I was sort of mad. "If they think I'm dead, why am I bothering to pay off my balance on this thing every month?" I muttered.

When I got upstairs, I showed Brian the letter. He chuckled.

"You don't look dead," he said.

Then it occurred to me: it's the holiday season. Was I, in fact, at least somewhat dead and possibly waiting for visits from three Christmas spirits?

I contemplated how miserly and/or ill-tempered I may have been this year.

"Do you think the Ghost of Christmas Past is coming to visit me?" I asked Brian. "Wait, are you the Ghost of Christmas past?" (believe it or not, I don't think that's the weirdest question I've asked him this year)

"I don't think so," he said. "But I am the Ghost of Your-Banana-Pancakes-Are-Ready, so get 'em while they're hot."

I am happy to report that possibly slightly dead people can taste banana pancakes. Which is a relief, because Brian makes THE BEST banana pancakes. (he doesn't use the allspice, but he does use cinnamon. Also? If you happen to have any left over the next day, they're really good rolled up with peanut butter)

I called my bank Monday and, long story short, I mistyped a number. It's all good now, and I have my card.

I knew I wasn't dead, of course. But looking back over the past year did get me thinking: Was I kind? (sure?) Did I work hard? (heck yeah!) Did I do the best I could to make the world a better place? (Man, I hope so!) Did I refrain from throwing duct tape at my ceiling in the middle of the night, to annoy my upstairs neighbor who drinks wine for breakfast on her balcony, no matter the weather, and yells and stomps all day? (We have named her Babs, and we are fairly sure she runs a halfway house for misbehaving elephants who are stompy furniture movers during the day and dance or throw concrete at night) Have I been as patient as possible, no matter the situation? (looks around in a guilty way)

Here's the thing: It was sort of a funny exercise, thinking about how people might remember me in terms of the three Christmas ghosts. But in a more practical way, it's also a good way to think about the impression I'm leaving now. And what about you? Did you help someone who really needed it at just the right time? Did you give someone the benefit of the doubt without jumping to an unfair conclusion? Have you made the world a better place in some little way?

Whatever it is you've done or not done, the impression you'll leave on others comes to two things: Your words and your actions.

Your words and actions matter; they are powerful. They matter right now, right here.

• Melynda has worked at the Daily Herald for more than 21 years.