Bryan was bummed. He would not be on vacation in Avalon on July 25, a favorite day for him. For years the family trekked to Stone Harbor’s Springers Ice Cream store to celebrate Christmas in July on that date. The store, decked to the nines with tinsel, lights, trees, Mr. and Mrs. Claus, live music, and holiday flavors, was always the highlight of our week at the shore.

Instead of this festive atmosphere, he would be hosting the monthly monitoring circle meeting required by the state – a get together which can sometimes be fraught with uncomfortable topics for Bryan that must be addressed by his five-member team.

Knowing this, I suggested lightly at our June meeting that I would make Christmas cookies to share and make things more “fun”.

Bryan took this to a whole new level. I didn’t even realize that he remembered my cookie promise. Upon ascending the three flights of stairs to his apartment, silly costume accessories in hand, we were greeted by door signage a la Bryan. “Happy Christmas in July 25, 2024” began the hand-scrawled sign. “Many years from Avalon my family Johnsons, Kratzs and me have come to happy Christmas.” “B and D lunch reservations.”

(A word of explanation of “Bryanese”…’B and D’ is the fun name coined for the lunches Bryan and his Uncle Dick assemble for the family every day we are on vacation. B (Bryan) and D (Dick) wear their matching navy blue aprons with the green stitched lettering B and D emblazoned on the front as they prepare our midday feasts.)

As we entered the apartment, Christmas music greeted us. Two small decorated trees were on end tables, singing penguins and snowmen shared their songs at the push of a button, tinsel draped the lights and a jolly “ho, ho, ho” emanated from Bryan’s bedroom. Out he came in his winter hooded coat, saying he was dressed like Santa. More homemade signage was posted on other doors, walls and fireplace – six in all – each with different holiday messages. There was a prominently placed T.V. tray labeled as a home for my green and red snickerdoodles in the living room. He had done this all on his own without his roommates knowledge.

The usually serious meeting took on a different tone in the cheery space. We laughed and joked more. The team really appreciated Bryan’s efforts at creating a happy mood in the spirit of Christmas as they gobbled down the cookies. And the mundane became full of joy. All because of his love of Christmas and the One whose birth is celebrated. And why shouldn’t we celebrate this special birth and have this kind of heartfelt joy all year long?