Merry Christmas Eve
It’s Christmas Eve and Santa is on the move. His reindeer are all brushed and waxed so they can glide effortlessly through the nighttime air. As of this writing, he was spotted crossing the country of India on his way to the coast of Japan, then across the Pacific to Hawaii and eventually onto the U.S. mainland. Now that is thrilling…somehow they need to capture that spirit and bottle up all that reindeer energy.
Santa and I are on a first name basis, so he called me last evening about midnight. Caught me sitting at my computer, somehow he knew I was awake, but then he knows most everything. He told me how proud he was of all us Boomers for our resilience and fortitude during this pandemic. It was easy to get down and depressed, but once again we pressed on and we’re almost to the end of this dreadful year, with eyes focused on the new year 2021 and all that it will offer to each and every one of us. He was a very proud Santa.
“Some say that distance makes the heart grow fonder, but this is a slight misstatement. The fondness has always been there. It is the absence of the people we care about that makes us realize how much we care for them, not distance that produces such feelings.”
Wellness Pursuits
Because we’re so close, we talked about a great many issues confronting us all. Being the learned Santa that he is, we even talked about which cookies were his favorites. Because he’s been eating so much lately out of stress keeping Mrs. Claus and the Elves safe, he’s put on a few pounds and said he most likely would not be sliding down too many chimneys here in the U.S. because they’re too small. Yeah right, Ho, Ho, Ho. What a Santa. Not to dismay, he said he would still deliver his gifts on time.
Just before he signed off, his Elves chimed in and sang their rendition of White Christmas and Silent Night. It brought back so many good memories of my childhood that I cried, turned off my computer, then fell back to sleep with visions of sugar plums dancing in my head, and a world with no pandemic and a bright future ahead for all.
It’s going to be a wonderful Christmas, but before I sign off I wanted to share one more story, another true one I might add.
This past week, my BoomerGuy and I wanted to have a meal out and celebrate the upcoming Christmas Holiday. We headed out to the desert, Palm Desert, specifically, and thought we would stop at one of the local eateries along El Paseo, the well-known shopping district filled with sumptuous and decadent foodies of all kinds imaginable. Unfortunately, and much to our chagrin, virtually all of the restaurants were shuttered both inside and out, and only a few were offering take out. All due to the weary shut-down restrictions of COVID.
It was obvious we were not going to get a big, expensive meal that we would have had to balance on our lap, so we headed to Chipolte for a take-out meal, then returned to El Paseo and found an al fresco setting in an alcove with a small table and chairs. We sat down, unfolded our napkins, pulled dinner out of the bag, and much to our amazement were surrounded by some of the finest Christmas music piped throughout the shopping area—the best ever—Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, and a host of others. Actually, many of them lived in the desert at one time or another either part time or full time and they called it their “playground.” We were surrounded by stunning Christmas lights and not one person knew we were there. The boulevard was empty. Then we walked hand-in-hand down El Paseo and took a number of photos to share with you so you too can capture and enjoy the warmth and spirit of the Christmas season, at least from the desert perspective. Here they are, a few traditional but most whimsical, which is what you get in the desert.
Tomorrow, Christmas Day, we’re cooking a full five-course extravaganza, then delivering meals to a number of neighbors who simply can’t get out or are alone due to the coronavirus impacting family visits. It’s our way of bringing back the tradition of what we both grew up with, giving and sharing and offering hope during this Christmas season.
Needless to say, this has been a very tough and trying year and none of us are yet certain what the short and long-term effects of the pandemic will bring us next year. Whatever it brings, your BoomerGal and BoomerGuy remain resilient and positive, and we will be forever thankful for what we have and who we have in addition to our new model of normal.
We wish you the Merriest Christmas ever and a wonderful Holiday filled with hope and expectation.
Your BoomerGal and her BoomerGuy, who by the way is my rock and inspiration.
“Joy can be divided indefinitely, so share yours whenever you can. Like the birds in the trees, sharing their songs for anyone who wants to listen, delight in the sharing itself. Someone out there is waiting to hear your song.”
Wellness Pursuits