I was in College at the time. I worked at a local hospital on a work study program at night. I worked then every six months I wrote up a report and received credits. My position was a ward clerk floater. When one of the permanent ward clerks called off, I worked in their place. If everyone showed up then they placed me in another area. I worked all over the hospital and met many people.
The day was Christmas Eve. Usually my shift was 6:00pm – 10:00pm but I was able to talk my supervisor into allowing me to go home early. I explained I hadn’t been able to shop for holiday meal yet and was hoping to go before the grocery store closed. He agreed and allowed me to use some of my vacation pay to cover the time. It was a slow evening in the hospital.
So at seven I left the hospital and caught the bus to my little apartment. It took about an hour because I had to connect with another bus in downtown Cleveland. As soon as I arrived home, even though I was tired, I grabbed my reusable grocery bags and practically ran to the grocery store. My apartment was in a very ideal location. I lived just off a main street, a few houses down from the corner and the grocery store was on another main street a few blocks down in the opposite direction.
As I was speed walking to the grocery store I couldn’t tell if it was closed or not. “Please let it be open” was my mantra. But it was not to be. When I turned the corner to the parking lot and main entrance. The entire parking lot was empty and a large Closed sinn hung on the door. At that moment my heart was empty.
I hung my head and cried all the way home. My speed walking was now a slow crawl. I was alone already and it was hard enough, now this. Of course all the restaurants, and grocery stores will be closed on Christmas Day, so there was no way I could get any type of food. Christmas dinner was a no go and any kind of holiday for me was gone. It was a very bitter pill to swallow. I went to bed with prayers of love and devotion to the person who’s birthday it was. I was still grateful that I had a place to live, having been homeless a few years before.
The next morning it was a beautiful sunny day, even here in Cleveland Ohio. I watched the parade on TV and just did the best I could. I had a bowl of cereal for breakfast, what else could I do?
Later when hunger finally caught up with me, I went scrounging in the refrigerator. Leftovers it would be. Strangely I found a few things and ended up having one of the best meals I can remember. Sure it was leftovers but it tasted delicious. I remember praying and being grateful for everything that I had. I was happy to be alive. The Christmas spirit came into this lonely heart of mine and I was filled with sweetness and joy. Even years later I remember this Christmas above all others. Of course I call my family and we talk and share, but I am still alone, or so I thought.
It was some time later that I realized something extraordinary happened. I remembered that the day before I hardly had any food in that refrigerator. I desperately needed to buy food not only for the holiday, but for the entire week. Yet, on Christmas I had a lot of food in there. Food I’m not sure where it came from. And it was some of the best tasting food I can remember. I also remember finally feeling the Christmas spirit.
Every year since, I’ve had food in my refrigerator and the Christmas spirit in my heart. But still, I remember that holiday miracle even more.
So the next time Christmas doesn’t quite go as you had planned for whatever reason, the holiday spirit is more important, and of course giving thanks and praise. May your Holiday be blessed with the spirit within, and joy to you and yours always.
Until next time.
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