Hopes for joy, peace
With a gentle touch I raised my mother’s antique crystal goblet to the shining duo of Saturn and Jupiter on a clear December night, toasting this once-in-a-lifetime occurrence. Blinking with wonder I bring into focus the reflection. Watching as others did so many hundreds of years ago.
“What should I say?” I thought to myself. I should say something profound; nothing profound sprang forth. Instead names and faces of friends and family, some new, some old, some passed, but all treasures of love started to emerge. I wondered how many were watching this same sight. A silent wish from within whispered New Year’s blessings and prayers to each and every one and to a world in trying times. Skeptically wondering just how far my wishes would go, the answer approached from behind.
A young couple with a small fairhaired child walked up beside me. We shared our thoughts of this amazing night. We exchanged neighborhood small talk. He shared a view through his camera lens which brought into focus a perfect image of what appeared to be a four-point star. Just like the image we have long seen above a humble manger on a holy night long ago. We talked about the wonder of this shared experience and how they tried to explain it to their small daughter. They had written a special letter to her sharing how this family experience will be held in love for many years.
Several more neighbors emerged from their homes up the street. We all expressed our thoughts of the moment. Comments dwindled and all eyes looked skyward in silence. Finally the group dispersed, the moment having slipped away. The couple with the child said good night and started home. Having neglected to introduce myself, I did so. They did likewise and introduced their daughter Miracle. Her birth had been their Christmas miracle four years earlier. As I climbed the stairs to the front door, I hoped that the happenstance of meeting a child named Miracle was affirmation that my hopes and prayers of joy and peace for our world just might come true.
BEVERLY FLORIDA Cammack Village