Ms. Cranky was whining and complaining to anyone who’d listen that she was tired and had had a cold for months and didn’t want to be out working in the garden in the cold. But, Cranky was part of a community garden and each year in December they had a tree-lighting ceremony and invited people to come. So, the gardeners had to prepare the space, put up lights, hang decorations and set out food and drink. But, it was cold out so Ms. Cranky was in a bad mood and grumbled walking over to the garden. She was even crankier as she felt heavy in her many layers of clothes.
All went well; she helped hang decorations on the tree with interesting people who talked the history of the holiday and that was nice but she sure wasn’t going to stay long, --- no way. Around 4:30 when most everything was done, the guests were not invited until 5, Ms. Cranky and her friend Susan went and got warm inside a friend’s café across the street; it was closed but he let them sit while he cleaned up for the day.
And, when they came out around quarter to five, they looked across the street in awe --- dusk had fallen and the lights were looking magical, there were so many more this year; they had been put on several of the smaller bushes and trees. The Christmas tree itself was yet dark. It was delightful to see how nice everything looked and Ms. Cranky began ‘perking up.’ But, remember she was still going to leave and go home early, she’d been sick, it was night, it was December, it was cold, the whole routine.
Then, around five all these people arrived, like out of nowhere and all at once. The gardeners hadn’t expected much of a crowd, just the usual neighbors, but this was a big gathering with many people they’d never seen before and everywhere Ms. Cranky looked there were mothers and fathers holding up small children to admire the lights. It seemed like everyone was holding up a delighted child and pointing.
Ms. Cranky didn’t cry but she might have for it was such a beautiful scene. Then, the tree itself was lit and there was even more light.
A woman arrived with a sound asleep four-month old boy in her arms. She hoped he’d awake as lights were the one thing he saw clearly at his age. And, in time the baby stirred and these small shiny dark eyes looked everywhere, taking it all in, like he was eating the light, tasting it. His eyes made Cranky so happy, she forgot she had been sick and grouchy and whining and complaining not long before. And, she quickly started bouncing around welcoming people, thanking them for coming. She helped pour cocoa and made sure people knew where the popcorn was. She assisted children in putting tinsel on the tree.
And, Ms. Cranky forgot about going home early and forgot the cold and it was a most miraculous evening, there on a street corner people passed every day, next to a bustling shopping area we take for granted --- being taught by little ones --- seeing the beauty of the lights through their eyes, learning anew about astonishment and what wonder was all about.
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