By Rosie Preston
This holiday season was unlike any I’ve experienced. I spent Christmas Day alone without seeing my family or friends because of back pain. It’s been hard at times to move around, and when I do, I step lightly. I was, however, able to communicate by phone and hear the fun that they were sharing.
On Christmas night, I experienced a very unexpected joy in my soul. Little six-year old Briella was spending the night with us. I heard her and my husband Phil enter our home around 8 p.m. Briella ran into my room carrying a mid-size brown purse. She told me that her “GG” had given it to her for Christmas. She was so excited and gleamed with joy overflowing.
I don’t remember ever seeing Briella so eager as she opened the purse and took out one gift at a time. She held each one gently and took her time explaining who had given it to her. It felt like my lame day had turned miraculous as I watched Briella.
I was elevated to a level of fun and gratitude on how this little girl was gifting to her great-grandmother. I felt like a child again. I was laughing so hard that it was a struggle to stay grounded. I felt like jumping up and down. It’s a moment that will remain in my heart forever.
I found Phil snacking in the kitchen a few minutes later. The TV was blaring one of my favorite songs, “Wildflower.” I had showed him earlier a Brazilian married couple who dance on YouTube. I enjoy watching them very much. Phil surprised me by pulling me towards him into a slow dance. We could not have been dressed down any less — I was wearing his tee shirt and he was wearing pajama pants. It felt so great and especially loving for about half a minute when Briella heard us laughing and squirmed between us to join our celebration.
It’s times like this when I wish we had a hidden camera that could catch the moment. That dance was my second unexpected joyful moment of the evening that could not have been better if we were professionals dressed up to perform for an audience.
Hopefully, you have memories that will linger with you for years to come.
Happy New Year, Rosie
Contact Rosie Preston at rosie.preston@yahoo.com.