waiting for the moment...

Christmas comes when it will for me. I can look at the calendar and see when it's scheduled, but that doesn't mean it will come--or when, if it comes at all. Because it's a spirit, you know. It's a soft and subtle feeling that wraps itself around your heart like a soft blanket of happiness.

Some years it waits until the last possible moment--like the year I worked at EIBrown and was still putting together an architectural proposal at midnight on Christmas Eve. Driving home later, with sputtering snowflakes falling and great tape loops of Christmas music to counteract the stillness, it hit me like a ton of bricks. I had so much to be thankful for. So much to celebrate. So much merriment in my heart.

Still do. 

kind eyes

The nicest thing happened to me a few days ago. A dear old friend from my first job out of college said, upon seeing my current photo (the one attached to this blog), that I looked just like I did when we were wee young things at WXLW. I believe it was 1970. 

Now flattered as I am, the truth is your friends--real, true, life-long buddies and pals--tend to look at you with love rather than through the ruthless eyes of strangers. And bless them for it!

So, thank you Ronn. You made my day. And you made me grateful to live in a time and place where lovely women and gallant gentlemen still warm hearts with grace and kindness. 

Christmas came early this year.