Christmas-"Presence"!

 

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 glad that I did so.

Resting his forearms on the top fence rail erected at the very edge of the cliff protecting the placid ocean, his attentive eyes surveyed the distant horizon as white foam from the lulling surf gently caressed the glistening sand 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 misgivings were trumped; here was a 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 stranger who politely smiles and says, “Bon jour! Mon Amie!”

 

Merry Christmas!

Candy & Carl