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!
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!
No comments:
Post a Comment