A day of simple miracles

by Kay Hoflander

December 24, 2005






Will you miss your Christmas miracles?

The other day, I almost missed three of mine.

I awoke with a mild toothache and a wretched mood.

I did not relish the idea of driving 90 minutes in this miserable condition to hear my nephew sing in his church’s cantata that Sunday morning.

Still, I truly wanted to go, and, besides, I was getting an unmistakable urge from the universe telling me to get a move on.

I know this feeling. I have had it before.

From past experience, I know that the holidays can bring surprises each year, but we must remain alert so as not to miss our cerebral cues and intuitive impulses.

We all have them.

They may occur in the form of a nagging thought, a longing to see someone or do something, or just about any idea that wanders through our brains and will not leave.

The point is that if we do not dismiss the notion and, instead, act on it, we may be in for a delightful surprise that will bring us good that is totally unexpected.

Our own personal miracle may appear, no matter how small.

As I took my seat along the aisle near the center of my nephew’s church where I knew no one, I heard someone quietly calling my name.

Seated directly across the aisle, to my complete surprise, were old friends. I had no idea they went to that church, and they, likewise, were astounded to see me materialize so far from my home. We joyously greeted each other, and then settled in to absorb the uplifting performance of the choir and orchestra.

I made a mental note—that was the first miracle of the day.

As I exited, wandering down a long hall in the church, I noticed a large Christmas tree surrounded with countless gifts, each beautifully-wrapped.

Naturally curious, I began to read the tags.

Just then, a woman walked up and placed her gift among the others.

I asked her what the gift cards meant because each said almost the same thing, “Sorry, I can’t be there with you. Merry Christmas. Love, Dad.” A few said, “Love, Mom.”

I asked her why so many cards had the same note, “From Dad.”

Who was Dad?

She said that they were all gifts given in the name of people in prison. The church members would deliver them to the prisoners’ children. She said they encountered a “mountain of red tape” in order to comply with prison authorities, family agencies, and privacy laws.

This amazing project was new to me, and the sheer difficulty of pulling it off, astounded me. Most of all it softened and moved me.

I made another mental note—second miracle of the day.

I was already glad I came.

On my way home, I stopped at the malls to finish some shopping. As I went through the checkout at the book store, I noticed a gift wrap table.

“Why not,” I thought, “I’ll get a coffee and let someone else wrap my gifts.”

The sign above the table indicated the name of the charity wrapping gifts that day. It read--S.O.S.

As the woman behind the counter wrapped my gifts, we began to chat and exchange pleasantries.

I noticed some beautiful art work on brochures and Christmas cards displayed on the counter. Then, I began to read the poster below the sign with the big S.O.S.

S.O.S., I learned, stands for Speak Out for Stephanie. It is a crime awareness foundation dedicated to the memory of a young college student, Stephanie Schmidt, who was killed in 1993. Stephanie’s story has been much in the news over the years.

I read the woman’s name tag-- Peggy Schmidt. Astonished, I realized it was she, Stephanie’s mother, who was wrapping my gifts.

We talked and talked.

Eventually, I asked her about the beautiful art work on the cards and flyers. Most featured colorful drawings of Stephanie as an angel, with her dog, or of her favorite rocking chair.

The art work was breathtaking, and I commented to Stephanie’s mom, “What a wonderful illustrator you would be for a children’s book.”

I mentioned to her that I am writing a children’s book and could use an artist. She smiled knowingly and said, “That is what I do, so give me a call when you are ready to discuss it.”

Mental note—miracle number three.

As I drove home, toothache forgotten and mood improved, I pondered these small and simple miracles of the day.

It did not take me long, once back at my desk, to look up a quote I remembered reading not too many days earlier.

William Hutchinson Murray, leader of the Scottish Himalayan Expedition team that scaled Mt. Everest in 1951, urged the dreamer in each of us to take a leap of faith: “…the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves, too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issue from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would have come his way.”

Such was my day of simple miracles--one I am glad I did not miss.

Will you miss yours?