The first “Merry Christmas” of the year.

I went to bed last night one person and woke up today another. A new and improved me! Someone with energy. Last night I was exhausted. Stupid-tired, considering the fact I did almost nothing all day. Except cook and eat. I’ve felt like I was kicking the flu or something the last few days…ever since the bladder infection etc. I was very happy to wake up this morning feeling rested, energetic, and I am pleased at how much I’ve managed to accomplish today, including getting groceries.

I’ve always liked grocery shopping. For me, it’s usually fun. The conundrum these days, is that the fun, relaxing NICE place to shop is a whole lot more expensive than the cheaper place I’ve been going lately in an effort to save a few bucks. Today I went out of my way to the nicest version of the discount grocery store, the one I know has wide aisles, good produce, and is not terribly busy. It’s also about a half an hour’s drive from our house, but I was in the neighbourhood, dropping off festive thank you cupcakes and proofs at the typesetter, so it wasn’t too far out of my way. I got all of the things I would need for our menu this week, and was happy to find that even a chunk of blue cheese was pretty cheap at this shop. I felt lucky, that even though times are tight right now while we invest in Graham’s new profession, we still make enough money to buy a hunk of blue cheese. And some clementines.

As I left the store, the Salvation Army rep standing at the shop door said to me, “Good morning.” He was an older man, wearing a soft, green sweater, with a beard and kind eyes.

I said good morning back to him and asked, “Can I get you back when I return my cart?”

He seemed surprised, and it was then I realized his greeting was not a plea for cash. It was a simple greeting.

Although I really wanted to throw a five dollar bill into the bin, I scraped all of the change up out of my wallet and tossed about a dollar in when I went back inside.

“Thank you. God bless you,” he said sincerely.

I thanked him in return for his kind words.

“Merry Christmas,” he said with a smile.

“Merry Christmas to you, too,” I replied.

His words gave me a little shiver of warmth and pleasure. It was the first Merry Christmas I’d heard this year, and although I don’t believe in God, his kindness was not mistaken for anything other than words of peace and thanksgiving. That is what Christmas is all about.

(P.S. I’m calling on the amazing resources of the blogging community to track down a copy of “A Muppet Family Christmas”. It’s a Christmas special I used to have on tape, but I must have lost it or taped over it. This special has all of the Muppets, Fraggles and Sesame Street characters in it. It is wonderful and I’d really love to sit and bawl my face off watching it this holiday. I’d just go out and buy it but apparently it’s quite rare, running over $200 on eBay, etc. If you have a copy and would be willing to let me make a copy PLEASE e-mail me!)

Update: It’s all over YouTube, but not quite the same. I’d still rather have one complete copy.

When Kermit says, “It’s the Sesame Street gang!” and Big Bird comes around the corner singing I just burst into tears! It’s so good.