As I awoke at 5:30 am this Dec 21st, 2020, I’m struck that this particular season of Advent is an elongated period of active waiting like no other...as we all or most (less 318K Americans lost so far, RIP) continue to endure this previously unfathomable pandemic. I’ve always equated ‘active waiting’ as synonymous with hope or more aptly faith in action.
It is the indispensable nurse/Docs/med staff, grocery clerk, teacher, delivery person & many many others who mask up and show up every day to help and serve others. It is the kids who drop off groceries in their parent’s or elder’s driveways each week with a loving wave.
It is a profound gift of ~dozen dear Hudson pals of all and even no denomination that physically gather in CGS for a prayer vigil the night before a friend’s cancer surgery.
It is a thoughtful neighbor who lives a mile away who just happens to be rolling by with his 2 mph tractor to help clear a driveway end after last week’s 30” snow storm.
It is a loving daughter who chooses to separate from her new fiancée to quarantine and work for weeks in our remote NH home to take care of our rambunctious puppy and help with... everything. It is a caring son living in CA who faithfully calls or FaceTimes daily just to check in.
It is awesome college friends who move out to offer their lovely Wellesley home for me to safely quarantine (squat) to more easily go into Brigham & Women’s hospital in Boston daily. And many family & friends who drop off meals, books, cards or simply call, text or connect for a masked outdoor walk in 12 degrees.
It is a faithful minister of a little white church on the hill that puts out a plea to help with a local family in need just a few days before Christmas — and is met with an overwhelming response of generosity and kindness. And the open StJB parishioners that patiently await their new Parish Hall to serve & celebrate community... hopefully very soon.
It is a wife who anxiously awaits a phone call this morning to go pick up her beloved and courageous husband, after his 2 grueling surgeries to eradicate sarcoma, 2 weeks in the hospital (the last 4 days solo) and after driving into Boston daily the month before for 25 radiation treatments. Though he’s beat up and faces a long recovery, we’re so grateful he’s alive and will be home for this quiet & healing Christmas. Thank YOU & Bless YOU ALL!
While all of us face so many challenges this dark winter — of health, financial and food insecurities, loneliness, anguish of any kind — I remind you that there is also much hope in this season of active waiting. We may celebrate this Christmas virtually alone... so that more of us can gather to celebrate joyously in person next year. Thankfully, more of our blessed front line workers are getting vaccines every day...and miraculously most will have access early to mid next year. In the interim, please remember we are alone...together; stay safe, protect each other and keep faith.
Merry & Blessed Christmas! Happy, healthy & peaceful 2021!
