Carolyn Dickman, Education Director - Midwest Center for Stress and Anxiety
 

Well, I spied my "christmas tree" on the way to work this morning. It's an overcast frosty day in Ohio. With a few exceptions, all the hardwoods have lost their leaves.

I wish I was talented enough to put into words what I saw this morning-so beautiful, so unexpected. Black trunks held the frosted branches and everything was defined in shades of gray. As I drove north the sun broke through the cloud cover from my left and a shaft of light literally spotlighted a tree on my right that had not lost it's red, purple and yellow leaves. I jumped and shouted, "WOW!" The brilliant color popped as if someone had thrown a switch and lighted the tree.

I know we'll have a decorated tree to mark the holidays, but I doubt there is one to match my morning Christmas tree.

I love unexpected moments that make me, "Wow." It can be something beautiful or it can be a twist in a movie or book plot. I still remember reading the book, THE WORLD ACCORDING TO GARP, and being totally blown away by the way the author snuck up on me at one point in the story. As I recall, I think I threw the book up in the air, it knocked the mental wind out of me. (Not suggested reading for the still overly sensitive)

I didn't think I liked surprises, but I must, well- at least pleasant ones. Maybe that comes with recovery? Maybe I'm not such a control freak anymore? Hmmmmmmmmmm

Wishing you lots of delightful surprises of the season,
Carolyn Dickman