Merry Christmas to all.

Last night, New York City’s streets emptied out as homebound travelers left to celebrate with family and friends. We decided to take a taxi to the beautiful, annual Christmas Eve party hosted by Nan, Gay, Pamela and Katherine Talese on the East Side, a planet away from our home in the Village. 

A cab stopped on our street to drop someone off and we hailed it. A black jacket lay on the back seat. “Someone left this here,” I said to the driver. 

“Oh. It must be the people I just let out. I want to give it to them. Do you mind?” 

“Do you know where they went?” I asked. “Yes. 18. The building where you came from,” the cabbie said. 

Nick grabbed the jacket. “I’ll take it,” he said and ran off.

I got in.  Ayman, the driver, pulled over to wait,  turned and smiled. “Merry Christmas,” he said. 

“And Merry Christmas to you. But I’m like you, It’s not my holiday.  I’m Jewish,” I explained, perhaps unnecessarily.

“Oh. It doesn’t matter what religion. I love New York City during this holiday. Everyone is so happy. I love the lights and the decorations. It’s beautiful,” he said. 

Beautiful and happy. How right.

So in this season of good will, we hope the message of peace, love and tolerance reaches beyond the walls of churches, synagogues, mosques, temples, taxis and subways and wherever people pray.