It never happens at the same time each year. The trigger for it is entirely unpredictable and I have never been successful at planning it or anticipating it. I know when it arrives however and it did just that this morning, Saturday, December 17th. Let it be known that I am now officially in the Christmas Spirit!
The lights and decorations went up three weeks ago and the Christmas tree with all its traditional adornments came shortly thereafter. The Christmas season had arrived in a visual sense but it was still somewhere off in the distance to me from a personal perspective. I go through this every year and it’s as a much a game of curiosity about when the moment will actually occur as it is the actual moment. The ambush came in a grocery store.
I had waddled into a Winco this morning to fill a few holes in the frig. The leftovers from all the holiday potlucks were dwindling rapidly. I was hobbled somewhat by a back spasm that had greeted me earlier in the week after I decided to go golfing in 40 degree weather. There’s something about stabbing back pain and stiffness that can derail a person from their “gee isn’t life great” happy train.
I walked up the check out area and noticed that I had timed my approach perfectly so as to be directly behind mega carts in every aisle. I surrendered to the moment and settled behind a heavily loaded cart and a woman who had to be shopping for her entire neighborhood. She seemed pleasant enough however and looked to be around my age group. I felt comfortable that any small talk that may spontaneously erupt would be casual and pleasant. Yes……….I think about things like that!
I stood next to the end of the loading belt and began perusing the idiot magazines while I waited my turn. And that’s when it happened. I glanced down to take a peek at this lady’s grocery selections and sitting on the belt, right in front of me, was an item that caught me completely off guard. There were actually several of them in fact and I could not believe what I was looking at! I hadn’t seen them in thirty years! Instantly and uncontrollably a flood of Christmas memories from my childhood came rushing back into my consciousness. I was completely overtaken by a sudden giddiness and wonderment. I stared at them without blinking or moving for what seemed like five minutes. The Christmas spirit just ambushed me again and it came in the most unlikely form. The Christmas book of Lifesavers!!
Like so many other children, Christmas for me and my siblings was truly a magical time. The thrill of Christmas morning and the other worldly appearance of the Christmas tree surrounded by presents was beyond description. And although memories fade and childhood turns into adulthood, some things are never forgotten. Every Christmas, my brother, sister and I got a book of lifesavers from Santa Claus in our stocking! I would open the book and marvel at the amount of Lifesavers rolls I had in my possession! It seemed to me at the time that I had a something close to a lifetime supply. That sense of fulfillment and delight apparently imprinted itself into my memory forever because who would have thought that 40 plus years later I would see those very lifesaver books sitting on a grocery store check out belt a week before Christmasand react this way!
I casually commented to the lady that I didn’t know they still made those Lifesaver books. She produced a smile that could end wars and her answer floored me. This stranger effectively peeled away the last layer of my curmudgeon Grinch-like crust;
She told me she grew up in a modest home with two brothers and every Christmas they all got Lifesaver books in their stockings. It was one of her fondest memories as a child during Christmas and she continued the tradition with her kids because it was such a special treat and her children loved to get them in their stockings. And although her kids are now grown and starting families of their own, they still expect that Lifesaver book to be there for them each Christmas.
The entire time she was talking to me I was still glancing down to look at the Lifesaver books. I was running a speed reel in my head of so many childhood Christmas memories. I was in a state of disbelief that something so simple could instantly pull me back through an entire lifetime and make me a little boy again if not for just a moment.
We talked for a few more minutes and I told her of my similar childhood connection with these Lifesavers and how just the sight of them alone affected me. She told me, “I know the feeling!” After a couple of additional pleasantries and smiles she packed her remaining items and left.
I did not continue the Lifesaver tradition with my family and I’m not sure why. After listening to the woman at the store I wish I had. I have a grandchild now and he will experience his first Christmas in a week. I had to relinquish my place in line at the store today to pick up something I should have picked up 26 years ago. And it seems my back pain isn’t all that bad after all.
I sincerely hope everyone has had their “moment” during this holiday season and we can all relish the magic that this time of year can produce. I’ll be back to my old self next year!
Merry Christmas!
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