Inner Light

‘Oh no!’ I thought to myself when my friend told me her husband was stuck at work and we had to delay the Christmas Eve dinner. I stood in the living room smattered with flour and a dish rag on my shoulder wondering to myself, ‘Now what?’ I had just spent 3 hours preparing an apple pie from scratch, then whipped cream, and a salad with citrus garlic dressing. For a moment I was at a loss, but then we regrouped and moved the dinner to 8:30pm.

In an hour I was driving through the foothills in the dark and rain, down to the valley town in a Santa hat and a red dress pinned with my mother’s poinsettia broach. I stepped into the church with red and white ribbons wrapped around the pews and a beautiful nativity scene in front of the altar. I joined in the choir singing familiar carols. After the gospel readings the priest delivered his homily striding across the church as he described various ways to celebrate the birth of Christ by being with family and friends. There was a repeated refrain after each scenario: “This is Christmas!”

I was back in my car at 8:20pm and immediately the storm intensified. Flashes of light showed up the winter colors of sage green brush, ochre rock cliffs, and dark brown wet tree trunks. Then back to jet black night swirling with wind. I had to grip the steering wheel to get through puddles that made the car hydroplane into the opposing lane. The rain was smashing into the ground in sheets. A bout of hail rattled the car loudly, and made me wonder if the windshield would break.

I peered through the glass trying to see where to turn left. Had I passed it? No, there it was. I breathed a sigh of relief as I turned into a smaller road and up their driveway. In a few minutes I was standing in the pouring rain my arms full of my culinary offerings trying to figure out how to get past the iron gate. I couldn’t see a latch. ‘Help!’ I yelled. In a moment B was there to grab a tray and let me in. Phew! I had made it! What a journey.

J and B’s home was fully decorated – a huge Christmas tree with pretty ornaments and lights. Jazz renditions of carols playing. Dinner was delicious. It was relaxing to be with friends who had so many memories of G, and several of his glorious landscape paintings on their walls. An oasis.

I left at 10:40 pm and the storm was still raging. I crossed the two lane highway to descend into the canyon on a twisty narrow road. About 15 minutes in, not far from the creek at the bottom, I came across a shocking sight. I had a hard time taking in what I saw. A fir tree had fallen across the road completely blocking my way. I sat in my car stunned. It was 11pm and I had no signal on my cell phone.

There was nothing to do but back out. I was in a low carriage Honda Fit on a curvy road and I feared getting stuck in the shallow ditch on one side, and careening over the canyon edge on the other side. I turned my body to peer behind me and crept backwards. Twice I lost track of where the road was so I stopped and walked to the rear of the car to get my bearings. Finally I reached a wide spot where I could turn around and drive uphill. I pulled over when I got a signal and called the fire station. A guy said he’d get dressed and bring his saw. I posted my predicament on our local town facebook page and another guy said he was on his way to help.

All I had to do was sit in my car in the dark wet forest and wait in my Santa hat. I ate some leftover pie. I texted neighbors to keep me company. I posted updates on the Facebook thread. ‘I just saw two white pickups drive by!’ and then finally, after waiting an hour, I posted that all was clear and I was liberated. I arrived home at 12:20pm, grateful for friends, rescuers and the oasis of my own home. “This is Christmas!”