What’s Coming

It looks as though it will be a day where we anticipate rain. I like that sort of day. Gray. Full of promise. I like rain, too. But when it comes its done and then there’s nothing to anticipate. And sometimes, it’s disappointing. And sometimes its more than you need. Although sometimes it’s just right and wonderful and you can go out and play in it and everything feels fresh and new. I guess it’s a mixed bag all the way around.

I like the run up to Christmas in the same way. As a child, it was wondering what I’d get as presents. Thinking about Santa Claus. The unwrapping. As an adult, I wondered how the gifts would be received. Would there be joy? Would they like it? Would they love it? Would it bring them pleasure? I know, as a child, I had unremarkable holidays on the gift front. Although, what does a child really remember? Most of my memories are piecemeal, but good and involve the tree and Christmas morning and the unwrapped presents. That was joy. I loved that feeling.

So, maybe the presents are really secondary just like the rain and it feels like a good way to live. Taking pleasure in thinking about what’s to come. The phone call from a friend. The sun in the morning. A lunch in the afternoon. An evening of music. A night of restful sleep. And knowing that sometimes the rain forgets to fall and comes not at all. And sometimes the present is off the mark. And sometimes there’s a sour note or a forgotten date. But knowing also, that sometimes it’s all just right and sweet and it was worth the wait. Well, worth the wait.

John W. Wilson is the author of The Long Goodbye: A Caregiver's Tale