Journal of a Living Lady #264
Christmas has come and gone. I write this during the calm that followed the yuletide storm. Except for a nasty bout of stomach virus that hit a portion of the family, this was an exceptionally joyous season.
There were a couple of memorable experiences that will linger. One was my being asked to narrate the church Christmas program with only a few hours notice. The original narrator’s voice went south unexpectedly.
My friends in the choir had spent months preparing for this major production and here I was up front, wired to a microphone, without a nary rehearsal. I surprised myself with the passion that came forth. Though I have read the Christmas story innumerable times, this time I felt a supernatural rush. Maybe it was because only moments earlier I was reflecting that without Christmas, there wouldn’t be an Easter. Without Easter, there wouldn’t be any hope for humanity. I had to tell that story with conviction and I did. The choir did a tremendous job. The program was the highlight of my Christmas celebration.
On a less serious note, I had predetermined that this Christmas would be fun in spite of the hustle and bustle of preparation. I stopped at a local jewelry store to leave my old high school charm bracelet to be repaired. The store was crowded with shoppers and the line at the cash register was growing lengthy.
I stood behind a young man who was probably in his early thirties. He apparently was selecting a gift for his lady, whether wife or girl friend I did not know. The nicely dressed man looked at expensive rings, necklaces, and pins. The clerk carefully removed each item individually from the case for his inspection. Finally he selected two exquisite diamond and gold items which, of course, he requested to be gift wrapped. I waited patiently, shifting from foot to foot, as the lone clerk wrapped the small gifts to perfection. When she handed him the package, I tapped him on the shoulder.
“Would you marry me?” I asked with a straight face. His mouth fell open. He stammered trying to think of a response. I let him off the hook with an energetic laugh telling him that whoever he was buying those gifts for was fortunate. I probably would be getting a blender.
I dared to try this one other time with an older gentleman at Wal-Mart. Just as he picked a ring for his sweetheart, I proposed. Without a pause, he replied, “Well, of course, darling. Where are we going for our honeymoon?”
This time I was tongue-tied. We both laughed and went back to our shopping.
‘Twas the season to be jolly.”
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nancyk@alltel.net
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