Christmas shopping in a sea of people!

=oslo (magazines)

I had originally thought I would post on Sundays, but after today I felt I had to put up an extra post.

Every Christmas I have to go to a physical shopping mall. It is a part of the Christmas preparations. Not everything can be purchased online, so plans are made with detailed lists and maps of the mall. And still, my coat, which is actually a protective bubble around my body becomes a straitjacket. My beanie, which is supposed to keep my thoughts straight and preferably make me less visible, becomes a tight, itchy torture instrument from the Middle Ages. My hair finds its way into my mouth multiple times and makes me nauseous and frustrated. Fellow beings who are really smiling people humming Christmas songs become large trolls who bump into me and show no respect to my constantly growing personal bubble. So regardless of how much we plan and prepare it always becomes a draining and sweaty experience. 

But good grief how good it feels to get into the car and know that it was accomplished again. And it worked out! One additional plus this year was that when we walked toward the parking space, we passed the nice lady who was selling =oslo (magazines). Of course, we had to buy some from her and she became so happy! She shared how she had taken back her life from overweight and illness. She had lost 50 kg (abt. 110 lbs) and got rid of her high cholesterol and diabetes.  She proudly declared that she was in charge of her own life, and she was “high” on herself. We each got a big hug (not my favorite, but I was carried away for a moment) before we returned to the car. The Christmas mood had increased, and I had a little more faith that change is possible. 

Translated by Kari Boisvert