GATHERING

 A small group of friends came and filled the table with cheer. And the colors and music, everything, kept up with Christmas. There was talk of pomegranates and figs unavailable at the store. All of us wore red. Pistachio and green onions paella was served traditional. Petite fudge cakes in the tin box. Flute glasses of ginger soda. Pine cone centerpiece (a gift from upcountry) glittered with stars. Priceless reaction. Silver and blue lights wrapped around the rocks, in place of tree. Toasting and picture-taking - To good times...

Medjool dates, sugared cranberries, and candied cashews. The vibrance of salad. A circle of hands in prayer around the table. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote in a poem that the best anniversaries in life were what's celebrated and remembered in the silence of the heart. Decaf coffee is brewing in anticipation of the pineapple-queso fresco-crumble-pudding especial. If you love, love by quality, the aspect of your gathering...

Take this home. Reading the cards, opening the presents with tears. Unexpected fireworks outside the window, like popping a champagne. Singing along the Sound of Music album on the record player, songs of old lines you know. Washing and wiping dishes together. Saying goodbye with a deep hug. And waiting and waving as the cars drive out. Last night I wrote in my diary that the future has come early for this child...