Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Celebrate "Life" with---Christmas!

 
  Christmas “Presence”!
 
 
Serendipity! Memorable events, adventures well worth savoring from life’s daily episodes, very often happen that way…completely by accident, stumbled upon while searching for some other necessity, another treasure, a better conclusion. An accident? So it seems, as we accept the coincidence in order for the “un”-commonplace to be easily explained away. Perhaps?
Absently, I nearly walked right past him. Preoccupied, I was, as usual with important matters, some crisis or another to resolve. In my periphery, just another person, an impediment to detour. Just one more annoyance, a someone or a something in my path as I strolled along the coast overlook some fifty feet above the resplendent blue Pacific, mentally searching for “the” answer to some monumental imperative; though, now, I cannot recall what that troubling issue might have been. He paid me no mind, either; of course, I deserved that non-response. Touché!
Maybe it was the faded light tan fishing-type hat, or the silver hair, or the crystal clear blue eyes…I’m not sure what, exactly, but some inner alert caused me to consider him. Then, it hit me. Reminders and recollections of my grandfathers, both now gone, gave me pause to invest a moment of such fleeting valuable time to look again. Forever since, I’m blessed that I did so.
Resting his forearms on the top fence rail erected at the very edge of the cliff high above the placid ocean, his attentive eyes surveyed the distant horizon as white foam from the lulling surf gently caressed the glistening shore while a warm sun charmed the serene setting. Walking near, I intruded into his aura and chanced a pleasant greeting, unsure of the hoped for response I might receive. Immediately, my misgiving was trumped; here was pure “Gentleman” of the elder class.
A polite conversation ensued; one sided, as the old man taught and I listened---and…learned.
“Decades ago, Christmas was the very best time of year for me. Being a child, life seemed simple enough. The aroma of lovingly prepared dinner, tree lights, laughter, love, family, the very emotional feelings of Christmas…these were well worth a year long wait. And, the presents were most important, too. After all these years, a lifetime, at last, I fully begin to understand.
“I spend a great deal of time here, now; alone. I’m an old man; no one has time for old men, anymore. Nature, she’s my friend. Never asks anything of me; she’s just always there when I show up. Quiet, peaceful, providing beauty---ocean, sky, clouds, wind, birds. It’s that same feeling of Christmas I experienced as a child…happiness. Harmony among people expressed in thought and word and deed---the very essence of love. I think of how important presents appeared to be, then; I know now life’s quintessence is, indeed: Christmas ‘Presence!’” Amen!
He smiled kindly, nodded a silent salute, meandered off and left me there, alone; to ponder.
I experienced the ocean’s peace for a time, then, as I considered the truth he had imparted.
If our paths happen to cross in some “tomorrow”-time, you’ll recognize me.
I’ll be the blue-eyed stranger who politely smiles and says, “Bon jour! Mon Amie!”
 
Merry Christmas!
And---
 
Each Day is Christmas!
 
 
 
Live dawn’s new day as though it be your last
One dusk shall tell that any future time has past
Bring Christmas spirit to new discovered morn
Ever proclaim awaits fresh great adventure born
 
Sleigh ride delight glisten diamond crystal
“Giddy-up!” bay Stormy prancing proud
Bright New Year sun promise false warmth
Pull afghan tight, singing “Jingle-bell” tune
Chocolate hot assures arrival home quite soon
 
Arise at dawn, hairy prognosticator beast
Fear not just thou own dark shadow cast
Dare six week retreat to warm winter borrow?
Care I what might be your cold declaration?
Find warm comfort love in Valentine celebration
 
Subside wild wind, usher in mild lamb
String kite climb through fluffy white clouds
The Ides this day portend Caesar’s demise
St Patrick’s Day harbinger Vernal Equinox spring
Late season storm reminds remember Lion King
 
Warm showers gentle like Emerald Isle weather
Meadows greening sweeten Bessie’s milk gold
Reticent buds explode myriad rainbow palette
Forest-leaf floor release Morel mushroom yellow
Incessant Spring fever catches un-ambitious fellow
 
Must work harder to secure that needed promotion
Threatening damper saved by bright flower outlook
Bluegill are spawning, I know of a secret lake pool
Good intentions pure for meaning all I should do
Too beautiful a day to pass up firing the bar-b-que
 
Sipping lemonade cool in Maple shade dappled
Alfalfa bales waiting in the field keep calling
Oiled leather mitt and caught the smell of summer
Baseball game harkens, here comes Bob and Jim
Need one more to play, better call on ole Slim
 
Iced down watermelon in Mom’s borrowed wash tub
Fried chicken picnic, hot afternoon fun games
A refreshing swim in the creek before sunset
In “America, the Beautiful!” dusk flees coming night
Red-fire painted sky echoes bombs bursting delight
 
 
A hot time in the old town every day and night
Humidity so thick the preacher prayed for gills
Dog days of Summer not fit for man nor beast
Children immune to the whims of Nature kin
I cry, too, when the school times do begin
 
Soft cotton-white puffs traverse cerulean abyss
Stirring winds ripple on placid pond reflection
Hunter’s blood stirs with early teal migration
Longed for Fall hint promised in cool night air
Tethered child spirit breaks, adventure dreams flair
 
Bare skeleton limbs claw at alabaster full moon
Colored fallen leaves rustle, play tag before the wind
Bounty harvest in the barn, pantry larder full
Night time chill at bay by warm fire wood stove
Family safely sound in farm house treasure trove
 
Daddy and I chase cottontails with howling beagle pets
Logs chopped then split piled by the back porch door
Thin ice upon the lake in frigid dawn’s pale light
Thanksgiving reverence prays the evil world has ceased
Love shared among these guests to celebrate His feast
 
Deliberated decisions for that special treasure gift
Bright gala paper wrapped, tied with a ribbon red
Festive decorations adorn center-stage fresh cut tree
Blessings more this day and each one since the last
Each day’s been Christmas, Lord, in the year just past
 
Amen!
 
Merry Christmas!
 
 
 
 
 

 


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