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Off-Kilter
Dec. 25, 2001
Christmastime
Snow has come late to Chicago, and thinly. Not even an inch outside, but the cold is still generous. This our youngest sister refused to brave, and so she stayed at the house.
 My other sister and I went downtown Sunday to see a movie at McClurg Court. We went inside shops and criss-crossed normally busy Michigan Avenue.
I was loud at the Gap. I picked up some ridiculously marked-down men's jeans. I think I'm buying my whole family some. "It's eerie, you'd expect more crowds since it's the last weekend before Christmas," my sister said.
Since I'm short, I expected to be jostled around like a toy, but managed instead to walk comfortably from one shop and street to another. I did bump into a few strangers -- I lined up to buy a drink at a bookshop's cafe and didn't realize I sidestepped a couple who was already in line. If they made any remarks, I ignored them, because I wondered about the thin crowds and gifts to buy my sisters and my mom. I couldn't think of any good ones.
The next day after work, I wanted to walk the mere four blocks to State street and get my family some scarves at least, but decided to turn back. It's the cold, I told myself.
But it's the deserted streets -- at 7:20 p.m., the day before Christmas. Up and down Madison Avenue were three taxi cabs and a bus, and not a soul in sight. I left my office with only two people on staff. One had a Santa hat on.
 I rode the almost deserted train to my house. Our neighbors' houses across the street look like electric gingerbread cookies -- I noticed that this is the first time they've turned their Christmas decoration lights on.
I plugged ours in. "It's drafty in here," my sister complained as I let slip my bag to the floor.
"Nah, actually, it's nice and cozy," I said, grateful to be indoors.
My sisters started prattling about Christmas plans the following day. Several lightbulbs need changing and our coffee table is full of junkmail again. But the streets outside are deserted. There was hint of turkey while I was walking past the other houses. And I know where everyone else is. And it is good to bum around at our house. I grabbed some food and started to eat.
May your Christmas be just as merry and full.
Happy birthday, Jesus! Thank you for everything.
The Word
YFC-Illinois
Christmas, 2001
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