Dwayne reached the top of the viewpoint, and found the bench.  He didn’t need to wake up as early this time of year to catch the sunrise. 

At first the sky only lightened gradually, and so did his mood as he sipped his coffee from the thermal mug his Ruth had given him.  She was always with him he mused, as the sky changed from a mere glow to reflections of pink. 

The clouds seemed to hang lower in the morning and travelled slowly either up or down the valley,  he knew that they were called “stratus” clouds.  The clouds slipped along like long white train cars.

He sipped his coffee with the hazelnut creamer and enjoyed the cool breeze on his face. He was starting the day, and felt her absence and yet strangely peaceful. 

It was only a few days until Ruth’s birthday, Christmas Eve, and although he had decorated their home, it wasn’t decorated the same as it was when Ruth had done it every year.  Out of love for her family, Ruth bustled around before Christmas baking and decorating.  It seemed to him that she took one whole day  just to decorate the Christmas tree, but she never minded. The tree was her “thing”. 

Dwayne and Ruth had had their decades together, they had their inside jokes, and shared looks and contentment together. Now he was alone but he still felt her alongside and even watching him sometimes.

Ruth – her name means “mate, companion, friend” ♥ 

Dwayne had stood yesterday outside Ruth’s favorite chocolate shop. He stood gazing so long at a chocolate X’s and O’s boxed treat, the storekeeper had come and checked on him.  He had smiled and assured her that he was fine and was merely admiring the dark and milk chocolates.

The boxed treat was a reminder of Ruth.  On her birthday he had always woke her with a kiss and her favorite chocolate, which was almost any chocolate, he smiled to himself. The gifts were forgotten now, but her reaction was always the same when he asked her what she wanted for her birthday.   

Every year her answer was “more X’s and more 0’s” which were symbols for more kisses and hugs.  He would laugh, and give her one of each immediately.

Dwayne finished his coffee, looked at the sky and before he headed down the hill he looked at the sky, one cloud looked like a big X.    He touched his chest, his eyes were moist – see you tomorrow morning my love.  XXX OOO

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

There’s magic in the air this evening
Magic in the air
The world is at her best, you know
When people love and care
The promise of excitement is one the night will keep
After all, there’s only one more sleep ’til Christmas

–Kermit “One More Sleep ’til Christmas – watch the song here

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Here is a memorable Christmas movie quote from a memorable 1965 special that never grows old in my opinion – You will probably guess it 🙂

Charlie Brown: I think there must be something wrong with me, Linus. Christmas is coming, but I’m not happy. I don’t feel the way I’m supposed to feel.

Lucy Van Pelt: I know how you feel about all this Christmas business, getting depressed and all that. It happens to me every year. I never get what I really want. I always get a lot of stupid toys or a bicycle or clothes or something like that.

Charlie Brown: What is it you want?

Lucy Van Pelt: Real estate.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Thank you for visiting “Life and Random Thinking”. 

The little story about Dwayne and Ruth came to me last night to share with you. 

Thank you for visiting in 2020. I know your lives are full and I am grateful for your visits and comments.  Merry Christmas !

I hope your new year is filled with hope, good health and happy memories. – David