Tis the season to be jolly … until the lights go out on my Christmas tree. Then, “Heigh-ho, Heigh-ho, it’s off to the store I go.”
And so, it was on Thanksgiving evening when Chuck and I were putting up our Christmas tree and he says, “Oh no, the middle lights are out.” I pinched my thumb and pointer finger to the top of my nose and said, “Seriously!”
It’s a holiday. Most stores are closed. I planned to get up Friday morning and get the tree and the house and the halls all decked out for the holidays. No fuss. (Yea, like that’s going to happen.) No issues. (Get ready to count them.)
Big Lots was open! I thought no shoppers would be there. I was wrong. People were meandering through the store and their carts were overflowing with fa-la-la-la-la and tidings of a lot of joy and stuff.
I got to the back wall and what to my wandering eyes would appear but shelves upon shelves of lights that sparkled and changed colors and were cool white and clear and LED (dislike!) and every conceivable way to light up a room and the lawn and the gables.
I just wanted a simple stand of 50 clear lights with green wiring. It was probably about the only thing they didn’t have available. After standing there bewildered and confused for about 10 minutes, I grabbed a box of 200 clear lights that I hoped would work. I had thoughts of a Christmas past where it took three trips to the store (the one I avoid at all costs) to finally give up and suffer with two different lights on the tree for the season. (That tree no longer exists.)
Photo provided by Janet Hart Leonard
I approached the front of the store and saw that there was a mother and daughter unloading a semi (okay, actually a cart) full of evidence that they had been in the store for quite a while. There was one lone cashier who had just begun ringing up the cart full of, well … let’s just say, even the underside of the cart was overflowing with the necessities of a season that would be slathered with festive décor.
The mother turned around and saw me holding a small box of lights and a bottle of Dr. Teals Foaming Sleep Bath. (A long hot bath would be so needed after this adventure.) She apologized for how long it was going to take to ring up her and her daughter’s purchases. They began bickering over who was paying for what.
It was then my heart remembered the shopping adventures I would take with my mother. I smiled and told the mother that I was fine waiting for them to finish. I had packed my patience with me, and it was doing its job quite well.
I started smiling as I listened to their banter. I found I was enjoying listening to them. They were quite entertaining. I got a full 10 minutes of free entertainment.
I smiled at the cashier as she thanked me for my patience. I told her it was the time of year that people need to bring their patience along with them while they shop … or stay at home. She laughed and agreed.
When I got home, I plugged in the lights and Hallelujah, Happy Day, they were a perfect match to the others on the tree. My adventure was a success and the few dollars I spent even included the entertainment of a mother-and-daughter act.
As I soaked in the bathtub surrounded by bubbles, I realized I can decide during the next few weeks if I want to engage in frustration and aggravation or in conversation and observation. The wait time is the same.
May you find delight and maybe a new friend while waiting in line over the holidays. And may all your lights flicker in matching glows as you sit with a cup of hot cocoa and realize just how blessed you are.
Appreciate the little things and your heart will be hugged. Thank the workers who show up. Bring along your patience. There is jolly to be found as well as a bit of merry! Tis the season …
Janet Hart Leonard can be contacted at janethartleonard@gmail.com or followed on Facebook or Instagram (@janethartleonard). Visit janethartleonard.com.