Page 4 - MidWeek - Dec 28, 2022

4 MIDWEEK DECEMBER 28, 2022
How are you celebrating New Year’s?
B365 Days Of Christmas
y the time you read this, Christmas 2022 will have come and gone. But I believe in Christmas every day, so here’s what happened to me a couple weeks ago.
If you recall, there were a few days when it was unusually windy. I was getting out of my car with my mobile phone in hand. Suddenly the wind blew my door closed right on my hand and phone, shattering my display and camera.
I was at a shopping center when I spotted a small store that sells phone cases and such. I showed the friendly store tech my phone and he said he could fix it. He told me to leave it and come back in an hour. Kitty-corner to the store was a coffee shop, so I figured I’d go there and kill 60 minutes. As I walked, I instinctively reached into my pocket for my phone to check for texts or emails. Like the emoji, I slapped my forehead remembering I was sans mobile communication. I went into the café and ordered a hot cup of coffee. What the heck was I going to do in a coffee shop for an hour without my phone?
ELIZABETH SNEED
Content Creator, Honolulu
“I’m going to the Disco Ball at ‘Alohilani’s SWELL pool deck with my best friends.”
JONATHAN AWA
Electrical Lineman, Pearl City
“Watching my fiancé
sleep (on New Year’s Eve) because she can never stay awake past 10 p.m.”
STEPHANIE LUM
News Anchor, Honolulu
“We go to my Aunty Dottie’s in ‘Āina Haina. Family, fireworks and her famous juicy stuffed pork tofu with gravy all over and nishime bring us plenty of good luck.”
CARSON TSURUDA
Civil Engineer, ‘Ewa Beach
“We normally eat ozoni soup in the morning with family and then we have dinner with my wife’s family. Lots of food, family and fun.”
While I waited, a middle-aged-looking woman came in us- ing a walker. She had a bagel sandwich and asked the barista if they could warm it for her in the microwave. I didn’t make any assumptions, but she had mismatched clothes with disheveled hair. She wasn’t noticeably dirty and she asked politely. I got my coffee and went to an outside table. The woman’s shopping cart was parked at the table next to me containing what I thought were her worldly possessions. She came out and sat down. She was followed by the coffee shop manager who asked, “Cynthia, did you pay for that?” This Cynthia explained that someone gave it to her. The manager was just doing her job and said, “OK.”
Ron Nagasawa
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The Reality Of T Clutter Creep
he year is already coming to a close. I am an- other year older. You are another year older. Your house is another year older, and so are
the things inside your home.
With each passing year, most of us bring in more
than we let go without realizing it. Clutter creep is real! Because of this, no matter how busy I am, I have a valuable year-end practice whereby I dedicate two days to clear and donate.
Clutter is draining, and as the things in your home age, the drag on your energy increases, leaving you with less energy to operate with. I can’t afford this. Can you? Dedicate yourself to rejuvenating your en- vironment to boost your energy by getting rid of a few unused and unloved things before 2023 arrives.
alice@yourhappinessu.com
Without staring, I watched as Cynthia savored the bagel sandwich. When done, she reached into her cart and pulled out a second sandwich. Holding it between her two small hands she nibbled on it until it was gone. Then she pulled out one of those large oatmeal cookies and had it for dessert.
She caught me looking at her so I smiled and said, “Wow, Cynthia, you made that look good.” She laughed saying, “I didn’t eat breakfast or lunch today. What’s your name?” I told her and we started talking about our favorite flavor of cookie. She said chocolate chip and that she would break them up and eat them in a bowl with milk like cereal. We had a pleasant conversation and I noticed an hour had flown by. She didn’t ask me for anything but I decided I would give her some money. I don’t usually carry cash except for a $50 bill I keep for emergencies. I said, “Merry Christmas, Cynthia!” and handed her the crisp bill. Suddenly, she had tears in her eyes and said, “Merry Christmas, Ron.”
And so, it was.
rnagasawa@midweek.com