Winter can be a crying time of year.
The long dark days.
The feeling that time has slipped away and what have we done with it?
It seems as if everyone else is wrapped up in the warmth of family.
The year draws to a close and we reflect on our lives.
Of what we have done
and haven’t done
We remember whom we have loved
or were afraid to love.
Everyone around us seems to be heading home – flying, driving, taking the train…just heading back home.
“Going home for the holidays!” they say.
We think about our family. It doesn’t make us think of home.
We have no place to call home. We feel alone.
You walk into the deli and Nate, the stocky owner with the hairy arms says, “The usual?”
“Yeah, ” you reply, thinking of the roast beef on rye, no mayo, and extra mustard, that spicy kind with the little grains. You watch as he deftly slathers, cuts, and wraps your sandwich, snapping open a brown paper bag. You begin to protest as you watch him place a brownie in the bag. “Dessert’s on me! Merry Christmas!”
You’re on the way to work, trying not to slip on the icy sidewalk as you head to your favorite coffee shop. The windows are painted on the inside with a Christmas scene and the warm air causes you to sneeze. Gennifer spots you, gives you a quick smile. You know she’s Gennifer-with-a-G from a long ago chat when there was no one else in the shop and you didn’t have to rush. She’s busy making the coffee drinks while someone new is taking your order.
It’s only when you ‘re sipping the coffee at your desk that you notice that Gennifer had drawn a little smiley face next to your name on the cardboard cup.
You’re coming home from a long day. You’re beat. You’re hanging up your coat when you hear the doorbell ring. You look through the peephole. It’s a neighbor. You open the door. The neighbor has a package in his hands. He says, “This was left in front of your door. I didn’t want anyone to take it so I picked it up, hope you don’t mind.”
Your door can be seen from the street. “Wow. Thanks. Of course I don’t mind.” you say.
The waitress. The bus driver. The newspaper guy. The security guard at the office. The nod, the smile, the small exchange of words. So many people.
So many people just like you.
You are not alone.
Home is where the heart is.
See the heart and make yourself at home.
BONUS PODCAST!
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