Late Harvests

Today I returned from driving, Robin, my husband to work. On the way home I decided to stop in and wish a Merry Christmas to someone I hadn't talked to for a while. We had a little misunderstanding.
Driving up the old gravel driveway my friend, Carolyn,was hanging over her railing, shaking an old rug out the door. I don't think Carolyn realized it was me for she disappeared back inside. Carolyn lost her husband a couple of years ago and now lived with her son and 3 grandchildren on a turkey farm. Of course, there were no sign of turkeys. They are all kept safely behind barn doors from the contamination of the world.
Anyways, after knocking on the door and a short pause Carolyn answered. She appeared sleepy eyed, not her usual pretty blue-eyed blonde maternal woman of 60 or so. The morning dew was not yet washed from her face. However, she smiled brightly at my appearance and we entered into her old farm house with its large rooms, cold lineloeum floors, and clothes and what have you scattered all over. It was to be expected with three young children aged 5 to 10 years of age! Not upset by it at all I sat down and was thankful for the hot cup of coffee she placed in my hands.

Nothing unusual occured; light banter and a few laughs followed. But the embraces we experienced in my coming and in my departure were frequent and welcome. We had missed each other. That was for sure. No wood stove could ever warm the heart the way this reunion made us both feel.
Getting into the car and driving away I realized this is what Christmas was all about - happy reconciliations. Smiling a self-satisfied smile to myself I drove up the old country road with its deep ditches and watched as a big machine was bringing in a late harvest of corn. Carolyn had said the ground was too marshy earlier to harvest it. Thinking about what she said I realized today was the perfect timing for our get together.
Christmas does that to us, doesn't it? It makes our hearts warm and oh, so forgiving towards those around us who have hurt us. Perhaps you can think of someone who you have distanced from yourself. Seems to me this would be a good day to say "Hi" by phone, or email even. Why not? What will it hurt? If anything you will find your heart warmed like mine was today. You will feel good about yourself and life again. Believe me I did.
Happy Harvesting!