It’s the time of year where the weather’s cooling down, and everyone who lives in the North comes down here to check out the living conditions because it’s so damned warm and so damned charming. So many people love New Orleans, despite her faults—and they are many. We are more than frayed around the edges; we’re decrepit in a lot of ways, but then the Southern Gothic decay has always been part of the city’s allure. It kills me, though, to drive through the city and see all the beautiful old houses falling deeper and deeper into decline. I’m not talking mansions. There are hundreds, probably thousands of really nice, spacious older homes in Central City, where we live, that would be just wonderful with a little elbow grease. I’m hoping that some of those Yankees come down to help build the city back, especially all of the young professionals who are full of energy and bright ideas to improve our quality of life here.

My wish for this holiday season is that somehow New Orleanians become less apathetic and realize what a treasure New Orleans is. The people who live in the city “get it,” but we need more people who have escaped to the suburbs to return to the city. I’ve never really understood why anyone would want to live in the ’burbs anyway. Boring! Let’s face it: most of the folks who have moved away from New Orleans to Metairie or Laplace or Covington or Mandeville would never consider returning to New Orleans to live. “New Orleans is too dangerous” (in my experience, this remark is usually a veiled reference to living on too close proximity to black people—shame on you!). “The educational system is terrible” (it’s being repaired; ever heard of charter schools?). “The city is too corrupt.” (Agreed, but if you don’t fight to change it—get less apathetic—then it will never improve).

I suppose I’m just a cockeyed optimistic city girl. I love the city and its culture. I love the fact that the people I see on the street every day and do business with are different colors and from diverse cultures. I like the fact that we’re not like any other city in the U.S. I revel in the fact that I have to shop in the Quarter or on Magazine Street for Christmas gifts and not at some homogenous mall. I like the quirkiness of it all; the way the city can laugh at itself, and take the most bizarre things quite seriously (like debutante balls, carnival krewes and organized partying—designed for any occasion). I like that the food isn’t the same stuff that’s served in Applebee’s or the Olive Garden. I like that history was made here, and I love the fact that America’s original music, jazz, was born here. There’s just no place like it.

So give thanks for New Orleans, despite her faults and failings. Rejoice in the diversity that we enjoy here. All you suburbanites: don’t be afraid of your fellow man because his culture is different from yours. It’s time to open your hearts to everyone. It’s Christmas.