The Saddest Day of the Year
Christmas was the
saddest day of the year, the only time he regretted not having a family.
The orphanage taught him about frugality
and hard work, but not about love.
Through university, an interesting career as a computer specialist, and
three years volunteering for charities, Kevin Anderson worked hard and saved
his pennies. He didn’t lack friends, but
after a drink or two, always went home alone.
It had been his choice, what he was comfortable with. He’d never been on a date or visited the home
of a colleague.
Staying alone and aloof from social
interaction hadn’t been difficult. He
didn’t have a psychological need to be with others, and the structure of his
workplace made it easy to maintain his distance.
After retirement, everything except his
work with Meals on Wheels continued as before.
Spending three hours a day, two days a week, delivering meals with fellow
volunteer Pamela Barlow led to a closer friendship.
He’d maintained his distance until she
invited him to Christmas dinner with her family. He accepted Pamela’s invitation and ventured
forth to buy wine for dinner, and presents for her family. He discovered that he enjoyed buying things
for others.
On Christmas Day, a terrified Kevin
Anderson climbed the steps to her modest house, a sixty-four-year-old man on
his first date with no idea what to expect.
The door opened and Pamela’s welcoming smile bewitched him. The joyous noises and warmth from within quelled
his fears. A warm fire, mistletoe and
the traditional turkey dinner beckoned.
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