Tag: Surprises

Elfin Magic

Elfin Magic

I had started my walk in a nearby park in a rather serious mood. My head down and engaged in thoughts triggered by a podcast playing in my ear, I didn’t notice the few others who were on the trail even though I only wear one earpod when I walk so I don’t miss birdsongs or the crunch crunch crunch of a fellow walker coming up behind me.

I was well into the two mile walk when I started to notice something odd with the trees along the path. At first I thought the gleaming little Christmas ball was the only one and only on that tree. Nope. When I noticed a third tree with a shiny ornament, I put the podcast on pause and the earpod in my pocket. There were more ornaments but only one per tree.

One on the next tree on my right. And the next one on my left. And the next. And the next. On some trees the ornament was hanging out in plain sight. On others there seemed to be no ornament. But when I looked more curiously every tree along my path had a ball hung somewhere within it. There were small round balls of red, white, green, silver, and even black. Some were not much bigger than a grape while others were the size of a navel orange.

I smiled then laughed out loud as each shiny ball reflecting sunlight caught my eye. Branches bare of leaves made identification something that will require waiting until spring, but no matter. I was not looking for leaves. Rather, I was looking for this winter “fruit” — these ornaments.

I had come to my walk in a familiar park, Louise Moore Park in Northampton County, Pennsylvania (just a few minutes drive from my house). The paths in the Park are neither fancy nor wild. They amble through fields. Some are mowed to ankle depth while others have been left wild for birds to nest and scavenge. Along some sections of the path are groves of 8 or 10 mature copper beeches, maples, oaks, and pines. I wondered who had taken the time to offer these gifts along the path. It wasn’t the rangers and it likely wasn’t a paid worker. The balls were not hung with panache or professionally placed. Some were tied to branches with unraveling yet colorful ribbon, some with sparkly twisted pipe cleaners, others hung on a colored metal hook that contrasted with the color of the Christmas ball it attached to the tree. Someone had anonymously hung the path with shiny bright objects that could not be missed and that made smiles emerge and childlike delight fill hearts that needed a bit of joy.

“Have you noticed the Christmas balls in the trees?” I asked an older couple holding hands.

“Oh yes, aren’t they wonderful,” the woman said. “We were just wondering how they came to be here. Who did this?”

I smiled as I said, “I think it is the elves who decorated our path.”

“Oh yes! Isn’t that something! Elves!” And she smiled as she and her husband nodded to each other.

Later, a jogger approached, head down, concentrating on the path ahead with headphones sealing out any other sound. I smiled and asked if she had noticed the decoration. She slowed slightly, took off her headphones and looked quizzically at me. I repeated my question.

“Oh, yes. They’re cheery aren’t they?” she said. Putting her headphones back on, she smiled and waved goodbye to me.

Yes, they are cheery. I needed “cheery” today. \Others may have needed it as well. And for this simple bit of good cheer I thank the Elves who took time to make this writer’s day brighter. It was a simple thing. Something that made a difference . . . at least to me. Thank you so very, very much. Now, I’m thinking about what small Elvish thing I can do to make tomorrow a day with good cheer and smiles. . . Suggestions invited below in comments — don’t be shy if you have an idea! And be an Elf!

At Peace. . .

The night before New Years Eve and I feel a deep calm. Unusual for me on this day of the year. I usually have a twinge of anxiety on the cusp of the new year to come. I feel like we are about to jump off the edge of some metaphorical cliff into the unknown — not knowing what awaits us in the year to come.

Of course everyday we face the unknown — we can never really know what awaits in the day. But we can tend to fool ourselves into thinking that our calendar lays out what awaits us . . . what appointments, what is on our to do list, what people will be showing up that day for dinner, etc. etc.

But on the day before the eve of the new year, it is so much more apparent that the future has not yet been written. It is not yet known. There will be joys to come (I am trusting that) and there will likely be sadnesses to be borne (unfortunately I am sure of that). But not knowing the specifics of either joys or sadnesses creates in me that twinge of anxious dread.

I would have expected much more than the usual anxiety at this soon-to-be New Years Eve and so I am surprised at the calm and peaceful feelings that have come over me. Why would I expect more anxiety than usual? With the surprises that came at the end of the year in October and hailed health challenges that were entirely unexpected, I experienced a return of my PTSD from earlier life surprises. From late October until just a couple of days ago, I could slip easily into mild panic and fear. Sleeping was often a challenge. But in between those moments of anxiety, there were experiences of calm and peace. Often those times came when I received a message or email from someone wondering how things were going, or from my daughter or sister or brothers. Knowing I was remembered and wondered about was comforting.

And so I will enter this 2020 year ahead with calm and peace, having learned one thing very well: how deeply meaningful is contact with another human being. Whether by a 3 word email or a phone conversation or a note in the mail or a cup of coffee at Panera’s — caring relationships are healing and their maintenance is a priority.

Unexpected

Virginia Theological Seminary, an Episcopal Seminary, is offering a “word a day” to consider during each of the days of Advent (a Christian season observed during the four Sundays leading to Christmas). The word of the day, this first day of Advent, is Unexpected. (see link below)

https://adventword.org/en/?mc_cid=be6749bb61&mc_eid=0f6a0eaef9

Unexpected . . . what unexpected event, person, insight has come into your life recently and unanticipated?

I am someone who doesn’t like surprises. Unexpected events can provoke in me a fear response whether they are good surprises or foreboding ones. Once I get over a startle response, my heart rhythm recovered, my breath deepening, I can look at whatever has surprised me and take it in or respond in a more measured way. Most people would describe me as a calming presence, and would be very surprised to know how little it takes to awaken my startle response of sudden sucked-in breath, slight tightening of shoulders, widening of eyes. Someone walking up beside me when I am not paying attention and saying my name, touching my shoulder when I am reading. Nothing big. But I often am deep in my introverted world. In those moments the world outside fades and when it beckons me, it sometimes startles me.

Today’s word, Unexpected, can point to many such experiences. Surprises welcome and unwelcome. Joy at a fulfilled hope. Fear of “what next”. Being unprepared for whatever.

Advent is a season of preparation in my religious tradition. Four weeks, plus or minus a few days, in which to consider our “track record” of living our lives as meaningful opportunities to grow, to share, to love, to forgive and be forgiven. And four weeks to prepare for a new birth of Light and Love which we are called to carry out into the world. We are to share life-giving Love and Light so all may know they are Beloved and share the Light.

Predating Christianity, this dark season in which cold wins and darkness seems to take up most of our 24 hours has always been a season of longing for the return of the Light. Whatever your tradition or practices, may these days be gifts of welcoming the unexpected not with fear but with knowledge that the Light is coming — and Love is already here with us.