Buford's Christmas, 2001
(c) 2001 by Russell B. Franzen
This story appeared in The Journal (Plymouth/Canton/Northville, MIchigan on 12/13/01.
The sun shone brightly on the
unseasonably warm December day. I walked up the Coffee Bean's steps and
was surprised to see my friend Buford, a little pink pig, sitting on the
patio. Buford sees Christmas with the eyes of an innocent child, enveloped
in the sensory excesses of the season. On a day like this, he should have
been running and
squealing through the streets and stores. Instead, he cooled his heels
and stared silently at the downtown shoppers.
His cup was nearly empty, so I bought him another "Buford's Blend,"
thinking that the rich, double hot chocolate with caramel flavoring would
give him a pick-me-up.
beverage. "How can Christmas be a time of peace when our country is at war?"
Before I could answer, he slurped down the rest of his drink and declared, "The Wise Guys will know!" Then he trotted down Penniman Avenue to Kellogg Park.
The Wise Men were taking a coffee break as Buford stopped by their hangout on the south side of the park. They greeted their little friend warmly. They asked if he saw Santa Claus yet. Buford replied that he had not, because the lines are often too long.
"Not this year," said the Wise Man in the green cloak. "They have two Santas. One is for kids who want ten toys or less." It was because of this very type of humor that Buford began calling them the "Wise Guys."
"Why does Christmas seem different this year?" Buford asked.
"The war has something to do with it," said the wise man in the yellow turban. "To some people, it makes it seem like the world is moving too fast. They want to slow their lives down but they do not know how."
"You should let them ride on your camel," Buford said. "It takes you five weeks to get half-way around the park."
"Don't knock it," replied the wise man in the blue cloak. "It is a regular gig and there just isn't a market for wise men anymore. Everybody thinks they are smarter than the next guy, so what do they need us for?"
"Besides," chimed in Yellow Turban, "We're just down the block from one of the greatest entertainment venues in the state. City Hall."
After a few more laughs, it was time for the Wise Men to get back to work. Buford thanked them and walked toward the stable. Mary rushed to meet him.
"The baby's asleep, Buford," she said, "and I don't want you and the donkey hamming it up and waking him."
Knowing that hers was a voice to be obeyed, the little pink pig meekly said "Yes, Ma'am. I will come back later when he is awake." He cut across the lawn to the corner where the Victorian Carolers were singing.
"Hey! I know one!" Buford squealed and broke into song.
"We three kings of orient are
Smoking on a rubber cee-gar..."
"Buford! Be nice!" the mother exclaimed.
The children giggled. The father turned his face away and smiled.
"How about this one?" Buford asked, and he belted out the song he wrote the year before.
Slogging through the snow
with the white stuff to my knees,
digging out my car,
"Expletive delete!"
Weather Readers scare
"Stay at home," they say
The rush hour drivers wonder where
the snow plows are today.
Back-up Bells, Back-up Bells
Snow plows clear the way
Oh what fun it is to slide
On the Edsel Ford Freeway, Oh...
Back-up Bells, Back-up Bells
Snow plows clear the way
Retiring to Florida
Looks good to me today.
Shoppers stay at home
Merchant fears are ripe
There's too much slush and snow around
to give in to Santa hype.
Tomorrow, roads will clear.
There'll be no need to wail.
'Cause folks will come from far and near
to our Snowed Out Blow Out Sale!
This time, the carolers joined
in and filled the park with merriment.
When the song was over, Buford walked over to his friend, the 15-foot
Snowman.
"Why does Christmas feels different this year?" he asked.
"The weather is warmer," the Snowman replied. "We usually
have snow during the Christmas season, but not this time. Do you ever
wonder what they do with all of the ice shavings from the Zamboni's at
the Compuware and Cultural Center arenas?"
A vision of sno-cones as far as the eye can see flashed across Buford's
eyes.
"This year," Snowman continued, "I have melted so much
that it takes two truckloads of ice shavings every day just to keep me
going."
It was not the answer Buford was looking for. He walked quietly toward
the fountain.
"What brings you out today?"
The little pig was startled as he looked up and saw Santa.
"Why does Christmas feel different this year?" Buford asked.
The jolly old elf looked down at Buford.
"There is a lot going on in the world today," he said. "Folks
are seeing things that make them feel uncertain about the future. That
can be a good thing."
Buford's quizzical look made Santa smile.
"The peace that Jesus talked about was an inner peace. The things
that make us feel good at Christmastime are the things that give us inner
peace. The traditions, being close to our families, and the gifts that
we give all make us feel good inside. When we feel good inside, that peace
and goodwill flows out to the people around us.
"It looks to me like folks are seeing that the emphasis they used
to put on Christmas holiday 'things' are not as
important in these uncertain times and they are turning back to their
families, friends, and churches. They are investing in the things that
truly matter. That makes this Christmas different in a very good way."
Buford thought about it for a moment and smiled. He turned and went back
to see if the baby was awake.
(c) 2001 Russell B. Franzen