Holidays

In the midst of Kislev and the Advent season, I found myself not wanting to attend my company’s holiday party. I dreaded it because of all the expectations, mine (probably imaginary), everyone else’s (if they had any?), blah, blah, blah.

I went, and the diversity was amazingly beautiful. I was deeply moved and humbled, saddened by the fact that I’d been anxious at all, and that I didn’t have this awakening during last year’s party, when I shyly excused myself 25 minutes after arriving. I saw fathers holding their sons’ hands and new babies who’d never seen winter, talkative toddlers explaining ordinary happenings, making them sound adventurous, and pubescent preteens who’d brought their nervous parents. It all hit me while standing in the buffet line. The presence of God was in that place, and I’ll never be the same.

VELDA L. THOMAS

Los Angeles