Cranberries

Fresh cranberries are not easy to find on island. Canned cranberries can be found by the pallet full in the back of any grocery store, but fresh cranberries take diligence and persistence to find. When I enter this latest store my mind is so focused on my quest that I don't notice the Christmas tree decorated with purchasable ornaments, or the stockings decorated with gingerbread men and candy canes. I head toward the produce department, this is my third attempt to find cranberries and my persistence has paid off. There on the far side, tucked away in a corner, I find fresh cranberries.

My step lightens. I hear 'walking in a winter wonderland' on the stores' audio, transporting me to my parents snowy, Colorado cabin. I am walking in after a morning of skiing with my Dad and brothers. Apple cider is simmering on the stove, the smell of cinnamon and cloves fill the house. A fire is burning in the family room, snow is gently falling outside. Mom is playing Christmas music on my parents old record player. My cheeks begin to tingle from entering a warm room from the outside; I change out of my wet socks and shoes and put on warm slippers kept by the door. As we enter the kitchen ladles full of of hot cider are scooped into mugs and passed around. Soothing warmth radiates through my fingers as I wrap my hands around my mug and deeply inhale its contents. I want to stay here as long as I can.

Standing in the produce department with my newly acquired treasure, and cherished memory I find myself lingering. I don't need Christmas decorations but I look at all of them anyway, savoring the moment, conjuring more memories. I slow down; there are so many different smells around me I want to capture and organize them, cinnamon, apple, sugar cookies, maple, fur tree. The smells of cooking, decorating, and festivities.

On my way home I think about making my favorite cranberry sauce, and about the time my niece reached into the cranberry sauce and scooped a handful into her mouth before my sister-in-law could stop her, red juice dripping down her chin. I had made cranberry muffins with the sauce the next morning for breakfast, and we all played games and talked until noon. Sometimes it feels like these moments will never end, but they are always more ephemeral than we realize. Each holiday season has presented new experiences and perspectives that carry through to future seasons.

My drive home takes me through town, street lights are decorated with Christmas lights and banners that say 'let it snow' and 'peace on earth'. Cruzians love the holidays, many decorations that have been put up this week will remain up through July. The hardware store has a large inflatable snowman out front as I drive by, and I am struck by what a winter centric holiday this is. It doesn't snow in the Caribbean, but that doesn't change the enthusiasm St. Croix residence have for the season. Everywhere I look I see holiday cheer. Geography doesn't change the way the holidays are viewed or celebrated. I am excited that this year I will be able to share this experience with my family.

At the airport my youngest brother is the first to arrive. He and his family are coming in from Colorado. When they left early this morning the Denver metro was under a blizzard watch, and the family is now in the process of trying to stow away all their winter gear. My nieces mittens and nephews hat are gathered up so they don't end up trampled or lost in the airport shuffle. I rush over with cold water and an extra bag to help manage their things. My husband and I are greeting family, and shuttling them from the airport to our house this afternoon. We want the holidays to be about comfort by getting everyone out of the busy airport and settled with Christmas cookies and appetizers.The afternoon is a flurry of excitement greeting family; coordinating cars and baggage.

Once everyone is together we have dinner as a family. Catching up on each others lives and hearing tales of the journeys that brought us all together brings joy to my heart. We all live far apart making our time together so precious. The holiday season congers memories and fantasies of every holiday season before and every season to come. The enjoyment of these memories and anticipation of more memories is what makes this season so special. Family, friends, food, setting, sounds, feelings all make this season special.

Now it is time to enjoy the cranberries.