One More Delivery

One More Delivery Please wait at the door. I told the man holding the package. He smiled, not unkindly, but as patiently as one might expect, from a driver with a truck full of items still and yet to be delivered. There was a strong smell emanating from the kitchen, another one from the fire place, but the odor was different. Why was their a fire there at all, had the kids finally decided that tricks were old, and truth mattered. No... they just found stale marshmallows and it was still early. How did I take a chance, a moment, or perhaps... accidentally if not willfully disobedient to the essence of reality. It was half past, and no one was going to bed. I grabbed money from my purse, tipped the man... and let him go.... mercifully, if not by choice. At least he looked or appeared to show, visible calmness regardless of the hour, and the arrival of all things magical. In this case, the "closet of wonder", safely and securely kept locked, until just the right moment was to be revealed. Up... Get out... Go to bed, or there will be no tomorrow! An empty threat, well known for my exaggeration of the moment, if not the day the week and even the hour. Off they went, knowing that I would follow. Faces to kiss, until they will no longer let me. Stories to tell, lest they forget our traditions, which will never pass to anyone from here. Blessings on this house, and all who dwell here. Thank you for another reason, to sing and be joyful for the season, Holy Light, into the Night... I sing. I will put toys together, and build castles from clay and dough. I will shine all surfaces, brightly... to reflect the glory of the day to come, the hour of His birth, the hope of all our tomorrows, for my family... for your family, for you, and, for me.