"Ghost of Christmas Present, Named Del"
by Kimberley Thompson, Tastemaker in Residence
2022 starts in less than 29 hours...and I wanted to get one last thought in for the year.
On Christmas Day, my brother in law asked if anyone had some thoughts about the season they would like to share. (I know, it sounds deep, and probably not what one automatically thinks about doing during the Christmas get together with the family!) But we do things slightly different in my family.
Given our ages, 72 to 30's, none of us are really into the packages (well, I still like to give little gifts!). Scrumptious buffets, check. Good background music, Check. A complicated holiday themed jigsaw puzzle, check. And we talk together, all nestled in comfy chairs by the fire. Sometimes the conversation is more "catching up," sometimes it is more caught off guard.
My brother slowly replied to the question, "There wasn't much of Christmas joy this year. I didn't see it on faces, nor heard it in voices." Heads nodded in agreement. "Less lights." "People seem resigned to "not being" holiday-ish." "There was no sense of being in this together."
Thoughts on the season? This year? I wanted to cry "Mulligan," and re-roll the calendar dice. Life seem frazzled about the edges this years. I never felt the vibrancy of the season...and believe me...I am known as Santa's Best Elf!
2021 Holiday was an effort this year. Whether Covid and its buddy Omicron, political and racial unrest, climate change, life path uncertainty; I just didn't feel "Christmas-y" even when the first snow of December fell. I had a small frisson of delight at the Guthrie's wonderful production of the Christmas Carol...but it was sent packing by the next day.
I said nothing during the conversation my BIL started. My thoughts raced back to the previous day; Christmas Eve as I was on my way to work.
Where I get off 35W, and get into downtown Minneapolis, is a poor neighborhood frequented by homeless people, weary souls, seekers of warmth and food at the Catholic Charity location where I turn. Shivering men and woman hold signs; homeless vets looking for rent money, young people food, grown men with educations unemployed and looking for work, mothers trying to make Christmas a bit merry for their children. (And do not get me started on the universal theme of these people make more money than I do, and drive off in their Cadillac around the corner! If you slap people with the paintbrush of assumptions...just let me get started with you! Assumptions and urban legends have 2 very similar characteristics...they are broadly and erroneously repeated, and both are a shallow excuse on the part of the assume-r to absolve themselves of doing ANYTHING to improve the human condition!)
I give when I can to these souls. My father taught his children the spirit of generosity...without thought of "who gives to ME."
Back to Christmas Eve morning. Work has been rough this year. Between Covid and Omicron, Mom's accelerating dementia, the downtown situation of not enough people returning to inhabit the Nicollet corridor, new owners where I work and the subsequent "Moving Sale from Hell," I was fully stressed and not feeling joyous.
As I pulled up to the stop sign, I noticed one of the ragged men at the side of the road. I grabbed my wallet, thinking "at least I can make someone's Christmas a bit happier." I rolled down my window and called out "Merry Christmas!'
He walked through the slushy snow in his cracked and taped boots. His plaid shirt barely covered his worn thermal undershirt. A dingy duffel bag leaned behind him on the freeway fence...I had the sense it carried all the possessions he owned.
I put my hand out with a twenty. He stopped by my window and looked at the money. "Oh no, ma'am. I just wanted to give you this." And with that he dug into his pocket and pulled out a stack of white envelopes. He selected the top one and handed it to me.
On the outside was written "Merry Xmas + Happy New Year" I tried again to hand him the bill. "No, ma'am. It's my turn to wish you joy ... and a Merry Christmas." With that he walked back to the spot where he originally stood.
I drove one block and pulled over to park. I looked at the once white envelope in my hand...and opened it.
Warmest thoughts and best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Thank you! Del
A homeless, down on his luck, (or just a good actor for you doubters) man had just given me the gift of Christmas. He was my "Ghost of Christmas Present."
I sat in my car holding the humble little card....
.....and sobbed.
He taught me more about Christmas 2021 than any light displays, bell ringing, yule log burning, caroling, or Santa could ever have done this year.
"Yes, Virginia. There is a Santa Claus. His name is Del."