Social media certainly lit up during Christmas when photos began circulating of lights coming from an abandoned Charity Hospital in New Orleans.
The picture is the perfect type of image to go viral: it resides in Charity Hospital, which has been shut down since 2005 due to Hurricane Katrina. Given that the location around it has been deserted ever since, there is a palpable lifelessness and eeriness to the entire picture. This contrasts perfectly with the bright shining lights on the “Christmas tree.” Given the time of year, and the high quality and unique qualities of the picture, it was sure to go viral!
“It’s really pretty and a little creepy,” said WWL-TV viewer Mike Arbon, who shared the picture. “It gave me chills when I saw it and, of course, made me think of my brother, who passed away at Charity Hospital.”
Arbon took the picture during his shift at Tulane Medical Center. He says he saw someone else post similar photos and wanted to see for himself. Needless to say, he was not disappointed.
As for the mystery: it turns out that some 2X4s were assembled in the general shape of a Christmas tree and adorned with lights. That’s right, the mysterious tree wasn’t even a tree at all! However, we don’t think anyone much cares for that detail of the story.
The beacon of light in the midst of a gloomy desperation struck a cord with the entire Internet, and it was a pleasant story to follow at the end of an eventful 2015.
We hope you all have a safe New Year’s Eve and a splendid 2016!