The Sacred (?) Evening

A day that began with cleaning, sad news, and family tensions, only to culminate in the chaotic yet magical moments of Christmas Eve. The curiosity of a four-year-old and the thrill of unwrapping gifts drowned out everything else. In the end, the evening served as a reminder that love often blossoms in the midst of chaos.

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Sentences and fragments follow.

11:30
I’m cleaning my father’s apartment. A hopeless case; it won’t get better, only slightly less neglected.
I can’t work miracles, nor do I want to. I can’t change people, nor do I want to. I can’t save people from themselves, nor do I want to. But I do know that every day, it’s possible to make the world a slightly better place.
Today, for instance, by brushing away tangled cobwebs and dusting forgotten corners.

Tags from social media:
The tree is up, where are the ornaments, Xanax, snow, gale-force winds, transportation issues, weight gain, display photos, pitifully funny, quotes about love, stylized graphics, power outage, cable TV not working, scandals, child, abuse, archdiocese, fired priests, no priest available, just the two of us, we have a cat, tears, hidden, sunglasses, life in Paphos.

12:45
The cousin? Are you serious?! The cancer has spread? They didn’t notice until now?! And her daughters?

13:09
“We’ll be there to pick you up by five. Dinner with the little girl, parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and of course, you.”

17:30
We’re heading out to get you.

17:45
Half an hour ago, everyone was yelling at each other.

Fragments from the so-called sacred evening:
A four-year-old angel.
What could be in this box?
Shall we try all the toys?
Hurry up with unwrapping, or we’ll never finish!
Just one more Lego.
Don’t leave me with Mom and Dad!
Laci, will you sleep with me?
Read me a story.
Barbie is scared.
Don’t go.

2024, December 24, Tuesday