The Miracle of the Mittens and the Hat

As each year draws to a close, I become thoughtful about the hands which were dealt to us and to those we know and love over the past twelve months. When I ponder the years' events, I always conclude that I never, not in a million years, could have predicted or imagined the things that came to pass. This year is no exception. Life's unpredictability makes living both wonderful and terrifying.

Terrifying for me this year included Harry's accident, driving up the Baja, and Sara Palin threatening to become our future president. Wonderful for me included Harry's recovery, driving up the Baja, being back in my own home, re-uniting with family and friends, our trip back to Mexico, our road trip across the US, subbing again, experiencing the cold and snow of Minnesota, and the tanking of Palin's reality show.

Our friends and family members were hit with extreme challenges and tragedies over this past year, including deaths, surgeries and divorce. They also experienced events that brought them great joy and happiness. Relationships changed over the past year, as they always do. Some of the changes people experienced were for the better, some for the worse, and some relationships ended.

Having made it through six decades, I have also have begun to ponder just how much more time will be granted to me in this fun and scary world. I always think of when my mother was dying, she wanted a bit more time to enjoy her family. When Queen Elizabeth I was dying she stood for four days because she knew that when she took to her bed that it would be all over. This is our human condition. We often live as though our time on earth were endless. Human beings throughout history have taken to the idea of life everlasting in a place free of worldly woes. Religions that promise a heaven or a re-incarnation have had great appeal, helping people cope with the fear of death.

The Christian tradition of Advent taps also into the deep longing human beings have for miracles in their life experience. C. S. Lewis wrote a book about miracles which was one of my favorites back in college. Lewis believed that some things in life can never be explained rationally or logically. He believed in the mystery and spirituality of life. Miracles are part and parcel of most world religions.

People who know me well know my irrational and illogical tendencies, so it will be no wonder to them I loved Miracles by Lewis. My religion of choice would probably be mysticism which acknowledges the mysteries of life and the possibility of miracles. The mystics as a group have not been in the mainstream for a few centuries, having lost popularity with the rise of Christianity. The mystics tolerated and encouraged diversity of thought.

I am often teased about my frequent use of the word miracle. What I often call a miracle may in reality be described by most people as a lucky or unexpected turn of fate, or even just something nice that happened, like Harry finding my keys after I've looked all over for them and rushed off to work with his. None of this divine intervention stuff. I seem to find miracles happening most days. In fact, I experienced a little miracle today.

My neighbor and friend, Ann, called me this morning to tell me she had completed the applique I had requested her to sew on the mittens and hat which I had knitted for my granddaughter for Christmas. Ann wasn't very confident that she would have time to create and attach the little snowmen because she has so many projects going relating to her at-home business, but she said she would do her best. I waited as the days went by, hopeful. Down the hall she came today and knocked softly at the door. When she took out the mittens and hat for me to see I wanted to burst out "It's a ..." -- no, I stopped myself from sounding ridiculous. I settled for telling her how grateful and delighted I was that she had taken time from her crazy schedule to do this for me.

Whatever religious faith or lack thereof which one chooses in this life I believe to be an extremely personal matter. There have even been "scientific" studies that argue some people inherit a "faith gene", and that others do not. We are all on our own journeys, and I believe respect for people's beliefs or lack of belief makes for a better world. Humanity has justified atrocities throughout history in the name of its gods. Belief that your creed is the only or best creed has always led to suffering and death for those who believe differently. If there is a god, I prefer to believe in a god of miracles not dogma. I prefer mysticism, where there is acknowledgement of life's mysteries, to a religion that believes it has all the right answers.

May you find strength to withstand whatever challenges life will undoubtedly send your way this coming year; but more importantly, I hope things mystical and miraculous find their way to your door. Sometimes the mystical and miraculous knock quietly, so listen carefully and be ready to open the door and let them in.