In A Kind of Heaven

We were all in a kind of heaven--not sitting about on clouds, you understand, but busy doing things that made us happy.
-Morag Joss
"Half Broken Things"


Twenty-five years ago today:

December 25, 1984
Tuesday

My running nose was reaching its peak by this morning. I sounded pretty raspy as I spoke to Karyn Kossoff on the telephone this morning.
"Thank you so much for my scarf and gloves," Karyn said pleasingly.
It was one of those sweet Christmas Day kind of phone calls.

I dreamed of Karen (of Baxter's in Concord) last night. She is the waitress who resembles actress Cybil Shepherd. What does that mean?

I telephoned Sue to Thank her for the especially selected towels she bought for me.

I soon found myself at mom and dad's house, lounging as we waited for John and Sherri to arrive with Ashley. I had the urge to open gifts under the tree.

I received socks, a shirt and two leather ties from John and Sherri. Mom gave me a gold tie clip, a cashmere scarf, an electric razor and a brand new water hose (to make up for the one Dad took from my house). Grandma gave me a tie. Aunt Lillian gave me some Aqua Velva after shave (not exactly my brand). Rene (my Santa's Gift Game Helper at work) gave me POLO cologne (much better). My boss, Stephanie Bautista, gave me whisky (not my cup of tea). Tony gave me a framed poster of three female cyclists and a couple of bicycle memorabilia items. And so, all in all, I had a great reception of gifts.

I ate Christmas dinner with Mom, Dad, Tony, John, Sherri and Ashley. It felt very "family". It was a pleasure.
PHOTO: The "immediate" ARMIJO Family
Joe Nelson, Virginia Marie, Anthony Fidel, Michael Joe and John Edward

I cannot help wondering about the unknown woman who is about one month pregnant with my child. I am her/his/its surrogate father so-to-speak. They (at the Bay Area Sperm Bank) say the mother-to-be is extremely excited about her pregnancy. I am happy I have done a good deed. I did not mention it during dinner but it crossed my mind as we all gave Ashley her first 'spoil her' Christmas.

We all remained at the house and watched portions of 'Wheel Of Fortune' and ate, ate again, napped, wrapped and took more pictures.

John and Sherri left at about 8PM while I departed at around 9PM. I left rather abruptly because Dad wanted me to take some of their excess garbage to fill my garbage can and I did NOT feel like doing that on Christmas Day. When I got to my place I was slightly upset because I had forgotten my Christmas gifts at my folks' house.

Mom called me when she noticed my gifts were left there. She was sweet enough to come and drop them over for me. We made up after the 'take the excess garbage' incident. Dad even came by with her, so all was festive and good.

And to my surprise...the unknown phone call of the day was from Paloma Sanchez-Guerra.
"Uhh...I called to find out why you hadn't sent me a Christmas card."
I laughed it off and we proceeded to have a nice chat.

Paloma asked, "So, when are we getting married?"
It surprised me and she made me laugh once again. It's like when I talk to her it is as if it was like I had just spoken to her a day ago even though it has been weeks. She knows how to 'break the ice'.

"I missed you," Paloma announced.
I was a bit dumbfounded to say the least. All I could think of was that by her being with her brother and sister-in-law and the other family Christmas 'going ons' she really did feel something missing.
"I thought of you last Saturday while I was watching the SOLID GOLD dancers," I assured her.

Now she was laughing as I explained that her body is similar to those dancers.
Nice.
PHOTO: Paloma Sanchez-Guerra

Now he happened to be unoccupied, to observe everything exactly, at least in his vicinity, the result of his aimless glancing hither and thither was that there was a great deal he did not notice.
-Franz Kafka
"Wedding Preparations in the Country"