Someone….Who Needed….Consoling - Early Morning, Christmas Eve 2019 Poem by James B. Earley

This message is about the kindness of others, and the attendant relevance a thoughtful word or two might engender. Christmas Eve 2019, early morning, though feeling a bit ill, I had the spiritual desire to visit a specific burial place situated at St. Helena, California. Determined to sojourn alone, I departed my home while my family was still sleeping,

Upon arrival, entering the lovely manicured grounds, and driving past acres of grave markers, to my delight, I saw nary a person in view. But as I approached the general vicinity of my destination, I noticed in the distance, a lone, older woman scurrying about, transferring various items from her car to a nearby plot. Exiting my vehicle, some 300' - 400' away, I did a cursory search of the immediate area, and subsequently deduced that the spot I was seeking was most likely fairly close to where this lady was standing. She never looked my way during this period, though I sensed that she was aware of my presence, and might have been a bit concerned by my sudden appearance. Hoping to allay whatever presumed fears, I called out to her, "pardon me ma'am, good morning! Do you perhaps know the location of Mr. Mondavi's gravesite? " And with what sounded like a giant sense of relief, she exclaimed, "both Margrit and Mr. Mondavi are right here, " while pointing downward, mere feet from where she stood.

I approached, explaining that I had been 21 years Mr. Mondavi's driver. I told her that I had last visited the plot October 2014, and spoke of the significant population expansions since my last visit. After exchanging introductions, she inquired, "did you move away? " "No, " I said, "I live in Vallejo, I've been derelict, and just haven't returned until today."

She then went about her way, making numerous trips, ferrying items to and from the adjacent gravesite she'd been busily tending. I stood there for some time reminiscing with the Mondavi's, peering down at the gravesite, alone with my thoughts. I then hear the lady addressing me, "you miss them, don't you? " "I do, I do! , " I practically blurted out! "It's so kind of you to visit them, " she replied.

Lingering a bit longer, I thanked her, wishing Seasons Greetings, and departed. Driving away, down Highway 29, past Robert Mondavi Winery, appreciating the notion that few had bestowed kinder words my way, than this delightful person I'd just met. Then it dawned, her name was but a distant blur. Though she had distinctly enunciated her name, none of it registered. Our conversation, I recall almost verbatim, but her name completely eludes me. I'm hoping that she may read this, or perhaps someone to whom she may have related this story. Just want her to know how precious she is! Her words, "you miss them, don't you? , " amongst the most soothing collection of words ever uttered my way!

I think about her, this woman alone, standing in almost the exact spot I was heading. Seemingly as if she was awaiting my arrival! I'm particularly taken by the fact that she'd been analyzing my demeanor throughout, and while reading me like a book, came to the conclusion that I was someone who needed consoling.