I caught a glance of her today, for an instant.
I hadn't seen her for a long time, just perhaps, in my memory.
But there she was this morning, as I was driving home.
The first gaze was upon the white polyester pants
and the familiar white running shoes she often wore.
Her slow gate seemed more sluggish now and she had a
walker attending her.
She had not changed too much it seemed,
at least from the view from behind.
Distractions of cars ahead blocked my vision and in that
moment love flashed in my heart and made me yearn to
see her again, to stop, and talk with her for just a
second.
I wanted to see her welcome smile, her love that allowed so much from me, and even
more to experience one hug and the words "I love you" come from someone that had
cared for me. I needed it today. I needed her reassurance.
As I drove closer and could see the frontal view of this
woman I realized (knowingly) it was not her. It could not
be so. Yet within that first moment when I had looked
upon the polyester pants had come past familiar pictures
of her memory which made it possible, for just a brief
second, to hold the warmth of her love again.
Sadly, I reflect that she is gone and not here to comfort me but what does console
me is that someday I will see her again. Yes, in my pink blossomed heaven where sky
and ground are filled with the soft colours of the magnolia tree,
I will meet her, hold her, and reminisce with her. And yes, this comforts me even
now and I hold on to this thought, and that glance, for an instant of her,
in her polyester pants.
Friday, December 25, 2009
A Special Christmas 2009
A Special Christmas
It was late November and the air held no hint of Christmas. You know the kind of weather I speak of; where ear muffs are a must, mittens a plus, and if they had a covering for Rudolph’s red nose everyone would be wearing it! No, it had been mild but it gave many eager people an opportunity to put up their outdoor lights. Mary, herself, had taken a special interest in the approaching season, putting up lights and all the hoopla.
It had come as a surprise to even her. She had become hungry for it like a deep craving for chocolate that couldn’t be satisfied. Her husband, who was not so excited because of the financial climate, had been gracious and helpful helping even in putting up the lights. Those lights, she thought to herself, what a gift! They had had a flood in the spring and much of their Christmas paraphernalia had been lost including their lights and tree! Mary was a good shopper so had looked at the price for them at many stores. It seemed there was nothing out there less than $10 a string. Worse, were those new fandangle energy efficient lights that really had no brightness to them! That irked her the most. Mary had almost given up hope until a local church flea market.
In her diggings she had turned up 7 sets of lights in boxes which had never even been opened! They were the old style that would bedazzle her house like no tomorrow! Best was the price; they were only $3 a string! In retrospect Mary realized the lights were a gift from God, an answered prayer. Her house literally glowed like a picture from a Kinkade Christmas card. Oh it made Mary feel so good and she thanked God for she knew He was at the root of the wonderful gift!
Considering all her enthusiasm this season Mary couldn’t quite figure out what all this excitement and joy was about since she and her husband had decided for a second year in a row not to exchange gifts. Mary realized it was actually a financial relief not giving anything the year before. She knew last year there had been a special grace for it. Mary didn’t miss it, didn’t care to go out, or look, or shop, or even decorate last year.
However, this year’s enthusiasm was the biggest surprise to Mary. It came along side of a deep belief that was growing inside her that somehow they had made it over the rough spot and the future would be brighter. Oddly, nothing was really different. Mary and her husband still faced the same monetary needs but there it was deep inside her; a flickering hope that grew brighter each time she turned on her outside lights.
On this particular mild November day Mary had been discussing Christmas trees with her husband as she drove him into work. He was employed in Windsor so Mary had a whole half hour to share any concerns with him. He was her captive audience. She grinned at that thought. Anyways, Mary had been looking all over for a tree and dragged her obliging husband along on several excursions to look at what was available. Their budget afforded only a 4 foot Wal-Mart special. It was such a disappointment when they had gone to look at the advertised tree. It was so skimpy and small. There were hardly any branches and no amount of ornaments was going to hide that fact!
Now Mary’s husband, Robin, had liked a big 6 foot tree the store carried but it was well over a hundred dollars! So on the way to work that day Mary and Robin had discussed other options including buying a real tree. There was a nursery on her way home which sold potted Christmas trees that Mary thought they could plant outside in the spring. She would take a look at them today. After dropping Robin off at work Mary began her trip back home.
It was a bit of a boring ride back and forth to Windsor so Mary often took a different route home on one of the many Concessions. Today she thought she would take Concession 6. Mary was deep in thought as she drove reflecting on earlier Christmases. She had never had to struggle as she had these 6 years being married to her second husband. Her first husband had been well off and though he was a bit of a miser they could well afford a new tree if they needed one. She recalled one of their many trees was a 7 and half foot beauty. It lasted them many years during some very tough times – emotionally.
It was another story and another lifetime ago. Though Mary didn’t have a lot now what made up for their lack financially was the fact Robin was a fantastic husband whom she loved tremendously. He was so kind and good and best of all was a Christian. Though they struggled financially they prayed together often and saw God move many times.
The only thing that bothered Mary was the sadness she saw in Robin’s face. She knew he wanted to and would have given her the world if he had the money. Mary had that kind of life in her past. However, that first marriage was one without faith, no hope, and definitely no love. What Mary also knew was that all the money in the world would not buy happiness. Though she and Robin struggled she preferred this loving relationship where God was at the center over that first tormented (albeit more financially comfortable) relationship she had come out of back in 1997.
Mary was suddenly brought to attention by the sight of a box on the side of the road that she just passed by. She put her foot on the brake and backed up slowly down the street. Lo, and behold what did she see? It was a Christmas tree in the box! A familiar green tree stand had poked its nose out of the box and that is what she perceived as she had driven by! Mary was so delighted and got out of the car. The box appeared to contain all the parts to a large tree! The box was so big though and Mary realized she could never lift it. She resorted to removing the pieces from it and putting them in the car.
Oh Mary was so delighted and drove home full of glee! Smiling to herself she realized she finally understood what that word glee meant! At home she dragged all the parts into the house and moved the furniture around to prepare a spot for her latest treasure. Once Mary put the tree up she stood dumbfounded. This perfect specimen stood at least 6 and half feet tall! Best of all it didn’t cost them a cent. She was already thanking God for this beloved gift.
She couldn’t wait for Robin to come home. Mary had positioned the tree right at the perfect angle so Robin could see it when he entered the front door. Well, Robin came home at his scheduled time. When he entered the room he looked at the tree. He thought it was a real one, that’s just how beautiful it was. Then Mary shared where she had got it from. Robin just shook his head in amazement. It was just one more example of how God had supplied their need. Mary wondered what other surprises God had up his sleeve this Christmas. Mary smiled as sugar plums danced in her head.
It was late November and the air held no hint of Christmas. You know the kind of weather I speak of; where ear muffs are a must, mittens a plus, and if they had a covering for Rudolph’s red nose everyone would be wearing it! No, it had been mild but it gave many eager people an opportunity to put up their outdoor lights. Mary, herself, had taken a special interest in the approaching season, putting up lights and all the hoopla.
It had come as a surprise to even her. She had become hungry for it like a deep craving for chocolate that couldn’t be satisfied. Her husband, who was not so excited because of the financial climate, had been gracious and helpful helping even in putting up the lights. Those lights, she thought to herself, what a gift! They had had a flood in the spring and much of their Christmas paraphernalia had been lost including their lights and tree! Mary was a good shopper so had looked at the price for them at many stores. It seemed there was nothing out there less than $10 a string. Worse, were those new fandangle energy efficient lights that really had no brightness to them! That irked her the most. Mary had almost given up hope until a local church flea market.
In her diggings she had turned up 7 sets of lights in boxes which had never even been opened! They were the old style that would bedazzle her house like no tomorrow! Best was the price; they were only $3 a string! In retrospect Mary realized the lights were a gift from God, an answered prayer. Her house literally glowed like a picture from a Kinkade Christmas card. Oh it made Mary feel so good and she thanked God for she knew He was at the root of the wonderful gift!
Considering all her enthusiasm this season Mary couldn’t quite figure out what all this excitement and joy was about since she and her husband had decided for a second year in a row not to exchange gifts. Mary realized it was actually a financial relief not giving anything the year before. She knew last year there had been a special grace for it. Mary didn’t miss it, didn’t care to go out, or look, or shop, or even decorate last year.
However, this year’s enthusiasm was the biggest surprise to Mary. It came along side of a deep belief that was growing inside her that somehow they had made it over the rough spot and the future would be brighter. Oddly, nothing was really different. Mary and her husband still faced the same monetary needs but there it was deep inside her; a flickering hope that grew brighter each time she turned on her outside lights.
On this particular mild November day Mary had been discussing Christmas trees with her husband as she drove him into work. He was employed in Windsor so Mary had a whole half hour to share any concerns with him. He was her captive audience. She grinned at that thought. Anyways, Mary had been looking all over for a tree and dragged her obliging husband along on several excursions to look at what was available. Their budget afforded only a 4 foot Wal-Mart special. It was such a disappointment when they had gone to look at the advertised tree. It was so skimpy and small. There were hardly any branches and no amount of ornaments was going to hide that fact!
Now Mary’s husband, Robin, had liked a big 6 foot tree the store carried but it was well over a hundred dollars! So on the way to work that day Mary and Robin had discussed other options including buying a real tree. There was a nursery on her way home which sold potted Christmas trees that Mary thought they could plant outside in the spring. She would take a look at them today. After dropping Robin off at work Mary began her trip back home.
It was a bit of a boring ride back and forth to Windsor so Mary often took a different route home on one of the many Concessions. Today she thought she would take Concession 6. Mary was deep in thought as she drove reflecting on earlier Christmases. She had never had to struggle as she had these 6 years being married to her second husband. Her first husband had been well off and though he was a bit of a miser they could well afford a new tree if they needed one. She recalled one of their many trees was a 7 and half foot beauty. It lasted them many years during some very tough times – emotionally.
It was another story and another lifetime ago. Though Mary didn’t have a lot now what made up for their lack financially was the fact Robin was a fantastic husband whom she loved tremendously. He was so kind and good and best of all was a Christian. Though they struggled financially they prayed together often and saw God move many times.
The only thing that bothered Mary was the sadness she saw in Robin’s face. She knew he wanted to and would have given her the world if he had the money. Mary had that kind of life in her past. However, that first marriage was one without faith, no hope, and definitely no love. What Mary also knew was that all the money in the world would not buy happiness. Though she and Robin struggled she preferred this loving relationship where God was at the center over that first tormented (albeit more financially comfortable) relationship she had come out of back in 1997.
Mary was suddenly brought to attention by the sight of a box on the side of the road that she just passed by. She put her foot on the brake and backed up slowly down the street. Lo, and behold what did she see? It was a Christmas tree in the box! A familiar green tree stand had poked its nose out of the box and that is what she perceived as she had driven by! Mary was so delighted and got out of the car. The box appeared to contain all the parts to a large tree! The box was so big though and Mary realized she could never lift it. She resorted to removing the pieces from it and putting them in the car.
Oh Mary was so delighted and drove home full of glee! Smiling to herself she realized she finally understood what that word glee meant! At home she dragged all the parts into the house and moved the furniture around to prepare a spot for her latest treasure. Once Mary put the tree up she stood dumbfounded. This perfect specimen stood at least 6 and half feet tall! Best of all it didn’t cost them a cent. She was already thanking God for this beloved gift.
She couldn’t wait for Robin to come home. Mary had positioned the tree right at the perfect angle so Robin could see it when he entered the front door. Well, Robin came home at his scheduled time. When he entered the room he looked at the tree. He thought it was a real one, that’s just how beautiful it was. Then Mary shared where she had got it from. Robin just shook his head in amazement. It was just one more example of how God had supplied their need. Mary wondered what other surprises God had up his sleeve this Christmas. Mary smiled as sugar plums danced in her head.
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