A Holiday Wish by anahata.c
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Description
a short memory...
Years back, my girlfriend and I were walking on Christmas eve. It was bone-chilling cold. We stepped into a small church to get warm...
We expected a service---but instead there was one couple, only: in their 70s, huddled in heavy coats, holding each other tenderly, like bears, and whispering so silently, all we heard was "psssss-psssss-psssss"...
We tiptoed so as not to disturb them---but I tripped and fell in the pews. (Ka-chunk!) "Sorry!" I muttered. (I felt like a criminal.) But the couple didn't look up for a second.
"What're they saying?" said my girlfriend.
"I don't know," I whispered.
So we craned forward like eavesdroppers---but heard nothing: just their rippling whispers...
They were so intense, so devoted: Whatever they were saying must've carried a lifetime inside it. Who were they, and why were they all alone on Christmas eve when there was probably a family at home, waiting?
We fantasized:
With all the hustle and bustle of this busiest of seasons, they needed a moment alone: So they came to the one place where they'd get it: a small church, an intimate church, whose light was dark and caressing, and golden brown; and which felt like a place where only the most private communion took place. And there they sat, whispering face to face, tilting their heads like curious puppies, looking deep into each other, never looking up, never noticing us---or if they did, they didn't care. Right now, their gaze was the whole universe, and they held it between them like a precious possession which no one could interrupt or intrude upon: It was theirs, inviolate, and very dear.
"This is a blessing," I whispered. "Yes---let's go," whispered my girlfriend.
"Why?" I said.
"It's theirs, this place is theirs: Let them have it to themselves...they're all peace..."
She was right. So we walked down the nave, and left...
But before we exited, we turned back and got choked up: This is the spirit of Christmas, we thought. Whoever these people were, whatever they've been through and wherever they've been, they came to this secluded place to find eternity in each other's eyes; and nothing anywhere could violate that. It was sacred and pure as the darkest night, when light is in the womb and promise is felt everywhere...
May you all have a blessed holiday, and a year filled with intimacy and gifts-of-the-heart. And thank you for all you've given through the year. May you walk with light always, through a year filled with light and infinite peace...
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Comments (11)
donnena
this is incredibly sweet! Merry Christmas!
tyllo
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2023 my dear friend! -Teresa:) PS Send a little thought to Ukraine!
alida
Hi I missed your stories. Have a great festive season
RodS
This is sooooo perfect for the season, and I can just picture that couple just immersed in each other, and their lifelong journey through their own private little world. Jo and I have shared a few moments like that, especially lately, with her dealing with COVID - she's kicked it's butt, so far. I'm so proud of her!
Then, in addition to a wonderful story, you treat us to a colorful and happy work of art that flows like a river of all my favorite hues. Reds, magentas, purples, blues, and those little spots of yellows waiting to surprise us on our journey - like someone handing out free cups of coffee to warm us as we deal with this winter storm.
We hope you have a wonderful (and warm) Christmas and New Year's Mark! And may we all have a better year in 2023!
eekdog
you have such detailed memories of your life Mark. it's like it could have been last season with your memory my friend. and your art is stellar. Merry Christmas.
bakapo
this. this is faith. this is love. this is life. I hope they found comfort and peace in that church and in each other's arms. I will think of this couple forever now. the fact that you remember this story says a lot about the kindness in your heart, too. this image speaks to me of music and love. it makes me happy. Merry Happy Holidays, Mark. may you have a gentle and comforting time spent with people you love.
Richardphotos
very touching story and art work
JohnnyM
This is such a great story and a wonderful work of art Mark! I finally had a chance to come on to the galleries and view the art that you have done. You have such an amazing and detailed writing style that I enjoy reading.
You have my best wishes for a great day to come your way on Christmas. I'll make a toast my friend in the hope that we all get to read more of your wonderful stories and view more of your art this coming year! Merry Christmas Mark..enjoy the day my friend! :-)
UteBigSmile
This was indeed very touching dear Mark, listen to me and stay inside please!
Happy holidays! 🤶🎄
dochtersions
Goosebumps after reading this memory (which, incidentally, much more content than a memory). I also think it was good for yourself to share it exactly in this wording with us. You were there again with your dear friend (because she is sweet, as she felt in which these two 'centuries -old' loved ones were so intimate together). Perhaps sharing this was become more tangible, filled with more desire, also to hold this memory even more firmly, a 'desire for' is hidden in it. Perhaps you have unconscious made you feel it deeper, for both yourself and for your readers. It is a beauty of a Christmas story, like a dream what everyone would desire to 'have' this feeling. Not in the sense of possession, but of feeding, which many people lack : love, warmth, sharing, being together; A few eyes in which you can mirror yourself, in which you find unity.
And then your amazing image. I see a trumpet and strings of a violin, violin because these strings can vibrate enormously with so many emotions. Trumpets , they sound. A trumpet (I mean "bazuin" in Dutch), a Christmas instrument with which gratifying news is ushered in. And everything looks so powerful, perhaps a huge nerve?
jmb007
jolie