A Joyful Sound

Gently, I lifted the ornament from the tree and cradled it in the palm of my hand. I gazed at the intricate painting--a wintry scene, a house, snow and trees-- the dusty pink bulb now faded with time. My mother died when I was in my thirties, and I inherited part of her Christmas ornaments. Each year, I find myself once again  handling the decorations ever so carefully, treasures that they are. Memories dance across my mind, much like a ballerina, graceful, tender, peaceful. Each year the ritual repeats itself, a thoughtful pause, recollections sweet like cotton candy. I wonder if my own daughter will one day experience the same winsome feelings, the pangs, the sense of something far greater than the design on the wrapping paper, or even the presents themselves. This year I am beginning to embrace a fresh understanding, the answer to the question mark. The most beautiful things we can pass on to the next generation, our friends, loved ones, and even strangers, is our time, our wisdom, our gifts. Even the sound of our laughter. Recently, a dear friend of mine passed away. Her death left me with a welling sadness, a deep crevice in my heart. I ached in the soul place that only God knows, only God can fill. The thought of Christmas made my heart hurt even more. I knew she was with Jesus but I also knew the void she would leave here on earth. Christmas just seemed heavy. Burdensome. But this is the secret I discovered in the midst of grief, unearthed like the first crocus in spring. The memories, the wisdom and even the mess-ups and failures remain planted inside of those who are still here. Words once spoken now satiate our minds, massage the pain, leading us down fresh paths, our feet stepping on virgin snow. A layer of sadness gave way to peace. So, I cleaned up from the Christmas season, hung a new calendar on the kitchen wall. And I prayed that whatever God has gifted me, spoken to me, freely given to me, will one day cause another to linger in the memory, listen for the soul sounds, the joyful noise that only you can hear.