It was a scene plucked from a Hollywood movie, panic and determination etched on the many faces. It was a kind of organized chaos , with one goal in mind—find what you can, toss it into your grocery cart, head for the cashier and out the door to freedom. Yes, I’m talking grocery shopping days before Christmas.

I thought shopping for the necessary groceries, a few days before Christmas was a pretty good strategy for me. All the major items on my list could be purchased now. Any last minute gotta-have item could hopefully be picked up at the Village grocer.

Obviously, 8:30a.m. was not early enough to tackle the large supermarket.

Armed with crazed drivers, grocery carts became weapons of mass destruction. At this time of year, shopping for food became an Olympic event testing the dexterity and nimbleness of non-violent persons. And, if you happened to be a senior, who’s not quite as nimble as she once was, you learn quickly to bob and weave with the best of them.

I met some very amiable people too—the taller gentleman who helpfully reached up to the top shelf, reached way to the back and got me that package of elusive ground flax. He stayed to do the same for two other ladies who needed items from another hard-to-reach shelf. There was the lady who was bobbing and weaving with the rest of us and got slammed with a grocery cart whose “driver” didn’t even stop to see if she was hurt. The “hit-and-run” driver kept going before anyone could stop her. Luckily, the lady who got hit was shaken but not injured. Then, there was the very elderly lady who had only 3 items in her basket but there were 3 people with laden carts ahead of her in the lineup—she was gently passed ahead by each person in front and safely out the door before you could say “Bob’s your uncle!” As the lady in front of me commented, “A genuine Christmas miracle from a “battle-field!” All of us laughed as a person has to believe and retain a sense of humour.

Despite the inconveniences of crowds, the short tempers and the rudeness, I still love this time of year. There are still caring and good people around. Covid may have robbed us of more traditional family gatherings and hampered traveling to join love ones at this time of year. But humans are adaptable and survivors despite whatever is tossed in our paths. We care deeply and we help wherever we can. We have our hopes and retain our sense of humour. We cherish our family and good friends.

At this time, I wish all of you a truly Happy Holiday Season. May Peace and Good Will rule. AND, may the New Year bring us a Happier, Healthier 2022.