A Surprising

My Pandora’s box is always complete with surprises.

And so it was this week before Christmas, with a surprising call yesterday morning alerting me to a possible Covid exposure.

“No need to fear,” I was told, “just isolate for 5 days and all will be well.”

Still it is the week before Christmas, and being a procrastinator, much is left to be done, I thought with unease

My larder is chock full of butter, brown sugar and colored sprinkles, all patiently waiting to be combined and carefully distributed into the twelve festive, but still empty, cookie tins awaiting ribbons and tags.

Amazon kept its promises and so has the Postal service. Yet, the piled packages await opening, wrapping and distribution and lurk on a chair.

Ah, yes they will be a mite late, I think with unease,

Then without warning I understand that this unanticipated mandate for 5 days of isolation has presented me with a rare Christmas gift.

I am moving without stress for the first December in years.

As I leisurely unwrap the boxes, I am pleased with my choices as I slowly decide on paper and tape.

When I begin to carefully sift the flour without haste I decide to bake the more complicated recipe of yesteryears.

As I realize there is no rush.

Four days to go before Santa comes here and hopefully I will emerge alert and intact.

Meanwhile while listening and enjoying the magical Christmas carols flowing through the airwaves, I move with ease.

And suddenly, I am no longer watching the calendar or clock, but only remembering the joy of other years.

As I retreat from the anxiety of fears and rejoice in nearly forgotten flashbacks of yesterday years and ever beloved lost loved ones

I forego any anger of those who have left, but wish them only the love we once shared.

And if I could, I would, share, with all in my world, (not the need for a Covid exposure,)

but instead the almost forgotten joy of Christmas peace and the joy that it brings.

As I am blessed to remember the Christmas miracle that perhaps I had begun to forget,

Then I repeat and remember Tiny Tim’s words of good cheer;

“God bless Us, Every One.”

And I know that God hears.