The Sweetest Thing

Things are mad crazy at work. I am scrambling to keep on top of everything right now. The days are filled with meetings and phone calls; in the evening, I attempt to catch up with a plethora of e-mail. I am dancing as fast as I can yet I feel like I am out of step.

When I get home, there is chaos in my apartment building with this movie filming and the acquired cast of thousands loitering about to attend to it. Fang's father in California is in the hospital--he's 90 years old and about to undergo surgery to have a pacemaker inserted. I feel a bit helpless here in New York when the rest of the family is gathered about him there on the Left Coast. He's old and this could potentially go badly. I'm concerned.

I haven't connected with Marv lately. I am neglecting my local friends. I am feeling so anxious. There seems to be no pocket of stability to make me feel settled lately. Until today.

Tonight as i fought my way through the morass of the film crew and extras in my apartment building, Luis the doorman spied me and said, "There's a package for you." I nodded and followed him to the storage room. I had no clue what it could be.

He handed me a small box and there inscribed on the address field in exquisite penmanship was the unmistakable cursive of MaryCatherineFullofGrace. What's this, I wondered.

Once inside the safe enclave of my apartment, I opened the box. It contained a note from her six year old son Declan. It was carefully written out on lined penmanship paper. The note was so effusive and loving that it melted my heart. There were also two candy canes (one tagged for Uncle Fang) and a beautifully wrapped box. Declan indicated that he had personally chosen the wrapping paper and colors. It was really rather beautiful. I opened the gift and inside was a most perfect gift--a Hallmark holiday ornament. It was from the old Rankin/Bass "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" (a particular favorite). It captured Hermie the Elf and Rudolph standing head to head (above). Once the batteries were inserted, Rudolph's nose lit up. I was--honestly?--beyond enchanted. I kept lighting up Rudolph's nose and staring at it. It couldn't have come at a better time.

It reminded me to slow down and savor the simple things that bring peace. This thoughtful gesture made me do so tonight. I'm taking this lovely gift to work tomorrow and I plan to put it on my desk. I intend to keep the nose lit, if only to keep life in perspective.

If you're reading this, little man, your gift did more good than you could ever know. I owe you an awfully big hug.