ANGELS AMONG US…… It’s official,” I grumbled to my husband, Doug. “Worst Christmas ever.” We pulled up in front of a little sandwich shop. The parking lot was empty except for one other car. It was 6:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve and we’d spent the past hour roaming around town for a place to eat. Every restaurant was either booked solid or closed for the holidays. Not how I’d pictured spending Christmas Eve. My daughter, Kris, and her family were supposed to come for Christmas. After spending many months in China, her brother-in-law had arrived back in the U.S. earlier than expected. They wanted to make the trip to her in-laws’ a day ahead of schedule and spend as much time together as possible. I understood. But I was frustrated. There would be no orange-glazed rolls and eggnog pie. No grandkids to dote on. No ripping open of presents. Just me, Doug and a 20-pound turkey. We’d decided to eat out instead. If only we could find a place. At this point, it didn’t seem likely. I pressed my forehead against the sandwich-shop window and peered inside. Maybe it was wishful thinking, but there appeared to be a faint light coming from the kitchen. I knocked on the front door. Nothing. I knocked again. And again. Just as I was about to give up, a head popped out the door. A young woman in an apron, wielding a mop. “We’re closed,” she said. “But have a merry Christmas.” “Please,” I said, on the verge of tears. “Our dinner plans fell through and...we just want to have a bite before church tonight.” The woman waved us in. “I’m the manager,” she explained, setting out utensils on the one table she hadn’t stacked chairs on. Doug and I sat down. “I sent everyone home early to be with their families. Give me a sec. I’ll be right back.” She reappeared and set out two towering sandwiches for us. “My holiday special just for you,” she said, eyes twinkling, almost like she’d been expecting company all along. This lady had holiday spirit. The sandwiches smelled delicious. Hot turkey with a smidge of cranberry sauce on rye bread. Doug and I dove right in, only pausing to say, “Mmm, mmm, mmm.” When we finally looked up at each other, we burst out laughing. I slowly leaned back in my chair and closed my eyes, noticing the Christmas carols playing softly in the background. Our accidental host had thought of everything. And the next time I was frustrated about things not turning out the way I planned, I would think of her. “I take it back,” I told Doug on our way to the car. “Best Christmas ever.” .
Posted on: Wed, 24 Dec 2014 14:31:22 +0000
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