Today is Christmas and I send you my best wishes for now and the New Year. Indeed as this recent marker at Finisterre, Spain, states 'May Peace Prevail on Earth.'
For me the spirit of Christmas common with the spirit of the Camino is, of course, love. Thus, I should like to share this true love story/Christmas tale with you. Many years ago my father, Walter, then 90, had pneumonia late in December and was hospitalized in a suburban NJ hospital; luckily by December 24 he was recovering. Since it was snowing I asked to spend that night with him at the hospital; because it was Christmas Eve the hospital allowed me to stay.
Thus, when dawn broke after wishing Walter "Merry Christmas!" I went down to the ground floor in search of a cup of coffee. No one else was about as up the snowy driveway came a little car driven by a chubby bearded guy wearing a red suit! After parking, he hoisted a big pack filled with gifts while carrying a long list into the hospital.
Alone at the door in the magic of the moment I said to him "Merry Christmas Santa!" He wished me the same and asked for help with his tummy since his pillow stuffing had moved from center front to over his right hip! Thus I got down on my hands and knees and patted Santa's tummy back into place.
After all was tidy Santa mentioned that he had many sick children to visit; I asked that he might also stop by my father's door. After a hug Santa left on his visits. A bit later when I arrived back at Walter's room he was waving a candy cane and smiling broadly. "Guess who just came by!" he said happily.
Indeed now more than 20 years later I still remember these moments with love. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
