An early gift of the Magi

As I joined the short line of cars waiting to go through the guarded gate, I noticed how the guard greeted every driver. A short wave would have been welcome enough, but a genuine smile of welcome accompanied it. She couldn’t have known every driver by sight, and yet it was as if she did. I felt its warmth myself as I approached the gate. It was the difference between entering a guarded gate to a housing complex and being welcomed home. I couldn’t help returning her greeting and than