LITTLE ROCK — When Mrs. Appleyard showed up last year bearing New Year’s gifts, it was the first time I understood that spiritual gifts are made available to us when we need them most. Did we use what she gave us this past year? Did we act with cheerful kindness, quiet courage and inspired wisdom? Sometimes, but probably not as often as we could have.
This year as the new year approached, I wondered whether there was something I could give Mrs. Appleyard. Could a material gift travel in her plane of existence? And if so, what does a guardian angel need or want? The more I thought about it, the less of my column got written. It was time to make more coffee.
As usual, it was early in the morning. The outside world was still sleeping and dark. Inside, Duke snoozed quietly next to my chair. Stirring my coffee, I wished it were cocoa. Maybe something special would inspire me. Right then, the whisk of wintry air that announces Mrs. Appleyard’s arrival touched my cheek. Turning, I saw three presents materialize next to my desk, followed by Mrs. Appleyard.
“So sweet of you, dear, but don’t worry about gifts for us. We exist to do the giving, and you to learn by receiving, growing and accepting - that’s how this works. But the thought is what counts, and I do appreciate it.”
As she spoke, she shrugged off her red coat and tugged at her white mittens. I thought I heard the sound of bells coming from the gifts that floated next toher.
“Challenging times, dear, big choices this year. Things are looking up, but not on the schedule you’d all have preferred. And that’s why our first gift is …”
She held out her arms and the smallest gift, wrapped in brown paper and tied with rough twine, floated to her. A sprig of holly with redberries was tucked under the knotted twine. Mrs. Appleyard smiled as it came into her hands.
“This is humility, the humility to change,” she said softly. “This is a very mature quality. To be honest, we debated whether enough of you were capable of using it. In the end, you need it so much we decided to take the chance. Even if only 10 percent of you use it, it could change the world.”
The simple brown box sailed away and the middle package, wrapped in creamcolored satin paper with an ivory silk bow, floated to her.
“I love giving this one, because it can only be given if enough of you are ready, and you are! The challenge is that it’s difficult to explain. Our best translation is ‘loving tolerance,’ but it’s got tremendous spiritual depth and elements of quiet joy and serenity. Very complex, this one is, but I’m quite optimistic about it.”
The middle package sailed away and the third and final package moved slowly into her hands. This one was wrapped in a deep, dark blue fabric shot through with gold thread. There was no bow orornament. She was quiet for a moment. “This one is so profound, so important. This is ‘steadfast fortitude,’ the ability to bear difficulty with courage. The way forward is not easy, dear. This gift will help you all persevere in a positive way.”
As the last gift moved slowly back to join the others, a red and white comfy chair materialized behind her and she sat. A mug of hot cocoa appeared next to each of us, just what I’d wanted.
“Here’s what we’d like you to write this year,” said Mrs. Appleyard, leaning forward earnestly. “Explain that each January, you get a fresh start in more ways than you know.Our gifts mean there will be an abundant supply of the spiritual qualities you’ll need most during the coming year. You can accept our gifts or not, but by giving them as the year begins, we automatically increase and expand their supply. That makes it easy for you to choose to use them. Do you understand?”
I nodded, and she raised an eyebrow. “Then write it down, dear. This is for the column.”
Ah, now I understood. This was a working visit. I set my cocoa down and turned to the computer as the presents bobbed beside me. Again, bells rang gently nearby. Mrs.Appleyard watched until the column was finished, then said, “Add one more thing. Tell everyone we wish them a happy and peaceful new year, will you?” Write to Jennifer Hansen at Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, P.O. Box 7, Springdale,Ark. 72765. E-mail her at:
Family, Pages 24 on 12/26/2012