Knees buckled. Odd then he was soaring upward instead of falling down. Up didn’t mean the ceiling of his apartment nor through the roof of his apartment building. Up didn’t mean the sky. Up wasn’t even a direction as people normally comprehend the word. Up was nothing. No! Actually, up was everything. Jason began to descend. Where he had no clue, but suddenly he was in the arms of a man who was both holding him and pointing to a giant star on top of some kind of tree.
"See, Jason? This is your first Christmas tree. See the lights, son? In a few years you can help me string the lights on the tree. What do you think of that, Little Man?"
All Jason was capable of doing was to coo and giggle as a bit of saliva streamed from the corner of his mouth so he clapped his chubby little hands.
"You like Christmas, eh, Jason? You’ll like it even more when you’re old enough to visit Santa Claus and ask for what you want. Yes sir, my boy, you and I are going to have lots of wonderful Christmases together." The man spun around the room, dancing with his firstborn son to the infant’s delight.
An older woman entered the room. "There you are, Momma. Would you like to hold your grandson for a few minutes?"
"Indeed I would, but don’t count on getting him back in just a few minutes. We have a lot to do tonight, this boy and me. You might not get him back until he’s grown into a man. Isn’t that right, Jason?’ She kissed the baby’s forehead. "Come with Grandma now, Jason. We’re going into the kitchen and work some magic." She placed the boy on the floor. She took his hand in hers and walked him into the room where the magic was going to happen.
The youngster loved the smells of spices and the warmth emitted by the oven and the boiling pots on the cook top. It reminded him of something. Actually, the aromas could remind him of nothing as this was the first time he smelled them. He picked up a brown star from Grandma’s work table and stuck it in his mouth. In the tick of the clock that star was out of his mouth and going from hand to table where he had found it. His Grandmother saw what happened and smiled.
"So you don’t care for anise, do you? That’s too bad. I have some candy in the jar over there that is made from it. I also have cookies in the oven that has anise in them. That’s what you smell. I guess you won’t want any."
"But Grandma, I only see licorice in the candy jar and the cookies smell mighty good!"
"So you see, Jason. Even things we might not like at first can be good if we use them correctly. Anise needs a little magic and a touch of sugar."
"Magic, Grandma? Can you teach me some magic?"
"All spices and herbs are magical, Jason, so we must handle them with love. For instance, that star anise you just spit out? That helps prevent indigestion. Maybe more importantly, it wards off the evil eye."
"What’s the evil eye, Grandma?"
"Evil eye is what we call it when someone wishes misfortune or harm on another person. Anise keeps that wish from coming true. There’s a use for every herb and an herb for every need, Jason. I can teach you, if you if you really want to learn."
"Oh, yes!" the youngster cheered.
"All right then.You need to read and study this book," she said as she seemed to pull an immense volume out of the air. "This book will tell you all about herbs and other plants you need to know. There are also some of my best recipes in the back." She paused to observe her grandson. "You realize, Jason, all of us a channels of life and love. There is no changing our minds. You must be willing to always let love flow through you. Do you understand what I'm telling you?"
Jason took the leather bound manuscript from her and tucked it under one arm. He hugged her with his free arm and kissed the top of her head now that he was tall enough to do so.
"God jule, Jason," she said.
"What does that mean, Grandma?"
"Merry Christmas, but more than just Christmas," she replied with a twinkle in her eyes. "Now sit over there near the fire and read your book. Just turn the pages one by one. Careful now, they are old and fragile like your Grandma. The words will come to you."
"You are neither old nor fragile, Grandma. I wouldn’t want to take you on in a fight!" he exclaimed with a grin.
"Smart boy," the old woman agreed. "Now read."
The young man did as he was instructed. He hadn’t ever felt this excited! Magically, everything written in his Grandmother’s book leapt from the pages as he turned them and locked into his brain. He knew and understood everything about magic he needed to know.
When he finally closed the book and looked up, his Grandmother was gone. He stood to look for her. Then he heard from the next room, "Come, Jason. Now our mission commences."
"What happens next, Gran?"
"Ah, Jason, que sera sera. That what’s next," she laughed.
"Whatever will be will be?" he asked. Once again, his knees buckled. Grandma’s kitchen disappeared.
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