The Gift of Peace
by Patricia Rossi • North Merrick, NY

Just one word, “Peace.”
Spoken in the sweetest of voices and gentlest of whispers.
With abundant sincerity, this single word would flow from my mother’s lips in response to my annual query, “What would you like for Christmas, Mom?”

My question was indeed metaphorically tucked in the eaves of my parents attic, packed away in a corrugated box marked “Christmas Decorations” and it always seemed that in mid December just as we unwrapped and carefully excavated the fragile holiday ornaments from last year’s crumpled newspaper, I would predictably seize the opportunity to ask my Mother this infamous question that had truly become as traditional as listening to holiday music.

Only now as an adult have I come to realize and appreciate the true beauty and significance of my Mother’s unequivocal response. “Peace”, what an innately reciprocal gift, truly unconditional, inherently perpetual and generously extending itself beyond the intended recipient. Akin to an ivy vine, the gift of “peace” attaches itself to the designated individual and if embraced by the said individual well it then meanders and wanders in the most non-discriminatory of ways into the lives of others. With this in mind, as another holiday season is thrust upon us, before we find ourselves overcome by stress and drowning in debt-incurred frenzy, assaulted and barraged with a flurry of newspaper advertisements and midnight sales, it would behoove each of us to stop in our snow covered tracks at the mall entrance or alternatively refrain from online shopping and this year exchange the gift of “ peace” instead.

Peace in the home.
Peace in our neighborhood.
Peace on earth.
What wonderful holiday gift … to give … to receive.

Patricia Rossi is an attorney, author and freelance artist. She is the recipient of three prestigious state funded invidual artist grants. Patricia's poetry has been featured at juried exhibits on eastern Long Island. In addition, she was a national finalist in Avon's women’s empowerment grant writing competition. She also serves on the board of the Long Island Arts Council and teaches creative writing workshops.