Every time I walk past our Christmas tree, I feel the urge to get the stepladder out and straighten up the tree-top angel. She’s been leaning seriously to the right since my grandchildren helped decorate the tree in early December. Now Christmas is over, and I never managed to straighten her out.
It’s been that kind of holiday season. The stars haven’t aligned. Grief and depression snuck up on me along with the tinsel and bright lights. But somehow, God—the Creator—the Universe … however you name that higher power … reminded me this month there are many good and kind people in this world. And I’ve received a gentle nudge reminding me that others are hurting, too.
I would be surprised if there are any Prime Timers who’ve gotten this far in life unscathed by loss, grief, or tragedy. And sadness seems to bubble up during the winter holidays. If you’re like me, you often dream of a return to the innocence of childhood Christmases of long ago, but that goal is elusive … and as hard to reach as the top of a 10-foot Christmas tree.
Despite some difficulties this year, I have much to be thankful for.
To the friend of many years who I ran into at the post office: You read the pain in my face and offered a big hug and a promise to pray for me. Thank you, Creator, for longstanding friendships.
To the young lady at the Walgreen’s photo kiosk: thank you for assisting me with my photo dilemma. I fell apart and told you I was having a bad day. You not only helped get my photos printed, but you also bought me some Fiji water (you insisted on the best—no generic H2O would do). We ended up encouraging each other. You gave me a glimmer of hope during a dark time, and I encouraged you to go back and finish your college studies. Thank you, Creator, for unexpected moments of grace.
I give thanks, too, for the ones who’ve reminded me this holiday season to look beyond my own troubles, to be a good listener and to reach out to others in kindness and love.
To the friend I ran into at Target: Your eyes filled with tears when you mentioned the first anniversary of your son’s untimely death was approaching. I found out your husband is battling cancer, and you are caring for your elderly widowed mother. Thank you, Creator, for seeing to it that our paths crossed amidst busy holiday shopping, opening an opportunity to offer my friend comfort.
To a teacher friend: You shared the sorrow of losing a too-young family member to COVID-19. Your grief was compounded because the young man who passed was the main caregiver for his wife, who’s confined to bed with an uncurable illness. To add yet another layer of sorrow, the bedfast young woman’s mother-in-law—who had stepped up to care for her—was herself stricken with an unexpected illness and is no longer able to help. Despite these family burdens, you keep a smile on your face, teaching and guiding impressionable young lives with enthusiasm and compassion. Creator, thank you for teachers.
What will the New Year bring? I hope the stars align. I’m trying to look at that cockeyed tree-top angel differently as the year ends. She was placed there akimbo by the sweet young hands of a granddaughter (with the help of Grampy and a ladder.) Thank you, Creator, for the precious children who enrich our lives, give us hope for the future and share their unconditional love.
Sharon Mangas is a Columbus resident and can be reached at [email protected]. Send comments to [email protected].
