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Some years it seems like I am unable to connect with the spirit of Christmas, really feeling the teachings of Jesus and the reason for the season. This was one of those years. I could feel the resistance right after Thanksgiving when it was time to put up the Christmas decorations. I didn't want to decorate or send cards or listen to Christmas music but I did all those things anyway in hopes that something would trigger that sweetness I had felt in the past and that my heart was yearning for.
Like many of us during the holidays, I continued with my busy schedule and while traveling for work, my heart's yearning was heard from the universe and my path crossed with a lovely older man. I noticed he was tall and thin and wearing beautiful, brown corduroy pants when he walked past me and said "excuse me". My eyes couldn't help but follow him and watch him sit down by himself without any bags. As I continued eating my snack, I watched him but it was more than that. I was being drawn to him. I couldn't help myself so when I finished eating, I walked over, bent down and with my hand on his knee (I couldn't help myself to not touch him and I restrained because I really wanted to just hug him), I asked him if him wanted something to drink. He politely declined but I pushed a little and suggested at least some water. And to see this man's face when I returned with the bottled water AND a cookie, warmed my heart.....ahhh the spirit of Christmas.
I asked him if I could join him and we began to speak about family, work, and life. He stated almost immediately that he had recently lost his wife of 59 years and that his pain and sadness where indescribable. He told me his wife was Irish and had beautiful strawberry, blond hair and when he spoke of her, you could see in his eyes the deep love he holds for her. He said that he wished he had died first because the pain of the loss was so great. It reminded me of something I had read and shared with him...A man talked about the same thing, being married for many years and the fear of the pain and loss when one of them would die. This man said that he wanted his wife to die first, that way she would not have to experience the pain of living without him.....After I finished, my new friend had a new prospective. Maybe he would see his pain as a gift, something he would experience so his wife wouldn't have to.
And we walked on the plane together and met at baggage claim. We said our gratitude's and he gave me his name and number and we parted on our separate ways.
You see my friend felt as though I was the giver and I was ...I SAW him, I listened and sat with his pain, I bought him water and a cookie, and I assisted him onto the plane but as much as I gave, I received even more because he gave me a heart connection! He gave me the spirit of Christmas, the reason for the season. The universe made it so our paths crossed that day so we would both feel a heart connection so we both would receive love! This is the biggest gift this season offers!