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I turned the corner on Fifth Avenue from Fifty-eighth Street when I heard the woman scream, “Donald!” A man several yards in front of me stopped and turned around. The woman yelled, “Don’t you dare walk away from me!” and took several long, angry strides to catch up. When she got within range of steaming his glasses he hissed, “Don’t you dare talk to me in that tone of voice!” She screamed back, “I’ll talk to you any *%$#! tone of voice I want!” and then proceeded to spit the most angry, hateful diatribe I believe I have ever heard.
I was momentarily shaken. If looks were actions, Donald would have been on the rack, and she would have been gleefully turning the wheel as his joints popped. It was a nasty, nasty exchange. Glancing at their hands I noted both wearing matching wedding bands. They were laden with colorfully wrapped packages and their holiday exchange was accompanied by a street band bellowing, “Joy to the World.”
I continued my own holiday gift search more aware than ever that my truest gifts weren’t going to be found in the store—online or otherwise…
Rev. Dr. Stephen P. Bauman is the Senior Minister at Christ Church.