In the spirit of holiday cheer and community festivity, Cheryl Dinse of Sooke, known for her exuberant Christmas light display, faced a disheartening setback when a letter arrived at her doorstep.
The handwritten note, filled with disdain for her elaborate decorations, shocked not only Dinse but also the entire neighbourhood.
The offensive letter, boldly written in capital letters, condemned Cheryl’s festive home as an eyesore, likening it to “Santa’s wh*rehouse” or a “Christmas abortion.” Despite the hurtful message, Dinse remained steadfast in her commitment to spreading joy during the holiday season.
“My first response was fear I guess, [that] someone could be that angry over my lights,” Cheryl told Victoria Buzz.
For Dinse, adorning her house with vibrant lights and decorations was more than a mere celebration; it was a testament to her resilience and a tribute to her late son.
Following the loss of her son earlier that year, this Christmas was especially poignant, serving as a beacon of hope and light during a difficult time.
In an unexpected turn of events, Dinse’s friend took to social media, sharing the distressing letter alongside a framed photo capturing the beauty of Dinse’s decorated house. The post garnered immense support from the online community, rallying against the negativity and reaffirming the spirit of kindness and solidarity.
“I decided to put it on one of my local online groups to get some feedback on what others thought. Within minutes, my Facebook messages were pinging over and over all day, into the late evening.”
Rather than allowing the hurtful words to dim her enthusiasm, Dinse responded with grace and gratitude, expressing her appreciation for the overwhelming support received.
“My husband says we will just keep it going for years to come, now that we know there is only one bad apple in the barrel. Maybe even more next year.”
The home is located on Firwood Place in Sooke and is on the Victoria Buzz Christmas Lights Tour Map!
Without further ado, for those who can’t make it out to see the home in person, here are 7 photos Dinse’s Christmas lights display captured by Victoria Buzz photographer, Colin Smith Takes Pics:
