Went for coffee yesterday.

Eric was there as he is every dark early morning on the overnight shift. I spent a buck and change and got an earful in return.

It started with my happy share that I’ll be spending the holidays with my kids and grandkids. He smiled and teared up a little. I asked him his plans since we’ve been on a first name basis for over a year now. He has a grown daughter and granddaughter in L.A. he’d like to see but hasn’t in many years. No bad blood he’s aware of, just her disregard and disinterest in a very lonely dad and grandpa. He makes attempts to contact at any shred of opportunity, sends cards, gifts and cash on every special occasion without acknowledgement. He is at a loss of what more to do but accept the loneliness despite how desperately he wants to give of himself.

There are lots of Erics out there this time of year while the rest of us are rejoicing and rejoining with loving families.

The most I could do was a warm loaf of my banana blueberry nut bread I left for him at the counter with a card that read: “In this world, Eric, we are all family. I enjoy spending a little part of each morning with you over coffee, my friend and brother. Merry Christmas.”

If you want to leave an unforgettable mark on someone’s life this Christmas, moments like this are right in front of us to seize every day for a buck and change.

Imagine a fragment of the world like this in your hands available each day and the opportunity it can make for someone else’s Merry Christmas.