Joy

A time for reflection often begins after the Christmas festivities wind down and a new calendar year approaches. Most of us are still wading in piles of Christmas wrap and leftover packaging. The empty gift bags are awaiting possible repurposing and the new sweater that doesn't fit quite right beckons our attention. Gift cards need to be categorized so they don't get lost and go unused. Scavenged candy and cookie trays attract fewer gleaners. Expanding waistbands cry for mercy. The once clean and organized house is a little frazzled around the edges and in need of deliverance.

Mixed in with all the chaos and trips to the grocery store, we find joy. It is true that moments of delight are most often found in the little things. Here are a few of mine.

1) New leather purse. It is not flashy or dashy. It does not have sparkly baubles, chains and sophistication. It just feels and smells like real leather. I am a sucker for well crafted simplicity. It makes me smile.

2) Church figurine. It has been in the family for quite some time which makes it a bit sentimental. But, the best part is the little bulb inside that lights up the stained glass windows with a warm glow. I am not much for holiday decorations (scroogey, in fact) but I appreciate the symbolism of the charming little house of worship. It gives my eyes a restful break.

3) Chex Mix. Traditional, please. Spare the apple pie spice or the Hidden Valley seasoning mix or the cocoa dustings. Mainline me the worcestershire sauce, Lawry's seasoning, butter, garlic powder and Chex cereal (a little corn and a little rice). Bake in the oven, not the microwave, for toasty, roasty goodness. Hide in the freezer and hope the bag is still full when company arrives. Addicted and okay with that.

4) Three little kings. Our neighbors have three rambunctious boys under the age of ten. Cabin fever can be lethal. Their very wise mother bundled them up one day last week and sent them outside with three hammers. Their task was to dismantle the outgrown Playskool slide. The banging and whacking made quite a ruckus but it reminded me that good neighbors are certainly to be treasured.

5) Memories. They are without any monetary value and are priceless. I was blessed with many this Christmas. Our sweet daughter and son-in-law traveled through miles of flat plains, mountain passes and finicky weather fronts to spend time with us. My siblings from around the world gathered together for the first time in many, many years. My mom was still able to enjoy precious moments with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The food was bounteous and laughter sponged away all woes.

Joy to the World, the Lord has come.

Peace and goodwill to all.

Letters

Dear Crabby Lady at the Grocery Store,

I am sorry you were second in a queue of three people in the grocery checkout line at six-thirty in the morning. I am sorry there was only one checker at the time. I am sure your schedule was far more important than the schedules of anyone else waiting in line. No doubt, your one item should have immediately overridden the ten items in the cart ahead of you. I am especially sorry another checker came by my cart and offered to check me out at another register. Your order was seconds away from being rung up so I should have asked you to pick up your pie and spend another minute getting to the new register and waiting for her to sign in.

Above all, I am sorry that more time was taken from your busy schedule so you could march over to my checker with your purchased dessert and yell at her. You made it very clear that the checker was an idiot for helping the third one in line rather than the second one in line. Despite my personal plea to you that it was my fault and not an oversight on the checker's part, you did a very good job making sure my checker was put in her place and won't ever commit such a heinous crime again.

I hope your pie was tasty.

Sincerely,
Stunned Shopper

I wish the above scenario was fiction. It is not. I am usually not privy to such antics in the early hours of the day so I was shaken and battered by the event. My checker assured me she was not bothered by it and I assured her that I was not only bothered by it, but outraged because she had to endure such a tongue lashing for helping me out. The checker confided that she was really assigned to be in charge of the night crew finishing up in the back room but saw there was a need for her in front so she jumped in to give the lone morning checker some relief. We shared a moment of sadness for the folks in the world who are so filled with internal rage that a few minutes in a checkout line causes them to snap and do foolish things. The checker mentioned she was accustomed to having angry people in her life so she was able to deal with animosity.

I left the store with a burdened heart. I was sad for the angry lady and whatever it was in her life that made her snappish. I felt sorry for the checker who was accustomed to angry people. No one should have to build that kind of resilience. Above all, I grieved the loss of decorum in our world. I am not sure when it became noble to put our needs ahead of others but I suspect it has something to do with a poor choice made in a garden long ago.

One more letter.

Dear Reader,

In a season known more for retail opportunities than peace and goodwill, please take time to thank a clerk or service worker. Smile at those who are working extra hours to make our purchases happen. Tip a waiter a little more than the usual recommendation. And, if you feel the need to yell at someone, get a hobby. Bake cookies, play piano, read books, build birdhouses . Better yet, re-evaluate your to-do list. If it doesn't say, "Be kind to others", add it. Make happy holidays happen.

Sincerely,
Cookie Baker