This is the season for pulling ornaments out of the attic, shopping for gifts in crowded malls, making the family’s favorite treats and big holiday meals, all the rituals that mark the end of one year and the beginning of another.
As I reflect on my own Christmas customs, I can see how easy I have made them for myself.
I’ve pared down my decorations to a small collection of things that are dear to me because they have a long history or are connected to someone who has died.
I’ve eliminated the stress of shopping by knitting sweaters, hats, scarves, fingerless gloves and boot warmers for my grandchildren and friends all year, picking up fun gifts for my husband’s Christmas stocking as I see them, and buying gift certificates for everyone else.
Likewise, as a grandmother who goes to where her family is instead of the other way around, I don’t do much cooking. This year I’m making a dish of macaroni and cheese to take with me to my daughter’s and a big batch of dough to bake cookies with my grandchildren.
So how will I honor the season, if I’m not decorating, shopping and baking? Something that happened the other day in the grocery store offers a clue.
By having the presence of mind to go beyond what was required of her and bring the two of us together she could take satisfaction in knowing that she made the world a better place, even if only in a small way.
One of the stores where I shop is offering stamps redeemable for stainless steel cookware with each purchase. When I paid for my groceries the cashier asked me if I was collecting them and I said no.
Then she turned to the woman behind me in line and asked her if she was collecting them and the woman said yes.
The cashier asked me if I’d like to give my stamps to her, which of course I was pleased to do. So instead of going to waste, they went to someone who was delighted to have them.
Because the cashier did more than her job, all three of us benefited.
By having the presence of mind to go beyond what was required of her and bring the two of us together she could take satisfaction in knowing that she made the world a better place, even if only in a small way.
The woman behind me got stamps that she valued.
And I was blessed with an invitation to give.
What better way to spend the coming days than to look for ways to be kind?
Bev:
What a lovely blog post. It made me smile as a saw you doing each of the things you wrote about. Enjoy the cookie baking, macaroni and cheese making, and your treasured holiday mementos.
Thank you too for the reminder to be kind.
Happy holidays!
Terri
Always enjoy your posts, Ms. Beverly. Hope you and your family have a lovely, stress-free holiday season.
Many thanks for ” Invitation to give”. I witnessed a gift of kindness yesterday on my early morning bus ride from the Cape to Logan airport. At one terminal the driver announced “Delta Airlines” then unloaded suitcases for travellers at that stop. Shortly afterward he reboarded the bus and looked around saying, ” someone must be asleep.” Then he roused a young woman in the back who would have missed her holiday flight if not for his effort. Another rider and I smiled warmly at each other, as we, too, felt blessed by the driver’s thoughtfulness.