Remember how last week I said the weight of Christmas felt more burdensome than exciting? Now that it’s over, I feel nothing but sadness! In grief for the season ending, I’ve spent the past few days driving around town trying to soak in all the decorations that will inevitably come down. Gazing up at the twinkling lights, a lump bobs in my throat, not only because of their spectacle, but also because of their preciousness. The fact that I know these beloved beauties’ time is limited forces me to cherish them. I can’t help but wonder, though…would I still value these decorations if they were permanent? Which then begs the question…how many wonderful fixtures—people, places, and things—do I take for granted in my everyday life?
There’s an amazing (and iconic) scene in Elf where the main character, Buddy the Elf, is discovering all the “joys” of New York. He’s twirling and laughing and leaping with giddiness over the many beautiful and exciting in which the city breathes at Christmastime. Except they’re not special…it’s just normal New York. A spinning door, a littered sidewalk, a mediocre cup of coffee…it’s all the nuances that are a part of everyday life. In the midst of such paradox, the Louie Prima song “Pennies From Heaven” plays. As chipper as the music is, the lyrics have always struck a chord with me: “Everytime it rains, it rains pennies from Heaven. Don’t you know each cloud contains pennies from Heaven? You’ll find your fortune falling all over town. Be sure that your umbrella is upside down.”
Pennies are meaningless alone, but added up, they can make a fortune. Similarly, when we seek joy in the small things, we find goodness “all over town.” It’s easy to find cheer when looking at Christmas decorations, with their value well over one cent (both literally and figuratively). But I hope the lesson I learn as I leave 2023’s holidays is that we can see small wonders in the present, regardless of the season. January may not have big red bows or grand garland, yet there’s still magic all around if we only turn our umbrellas upside down. Happy New Year!
Rachel Fisher 