past few nights were cold, and my house was empty. My roommates had moved out, or were out of town. One of my friends, someone I look after on the streets, I saw her—it was cold, she was struggling. I wouldn’t advise anyone to do what I did, but I said, come on inside. Let me help you, let you stay warm. She refused at first. I said, come on, sweetie. She came in, shy, bashful, sat on the couch with this look of curiosity like a child seeing a new world. She asked, can I watch TV? I said, of course. And then I saw it—the purest, simplest joy I’ve seen in a long time. She was in her forties, but in that moment, it was like she’d never done this before. Years had passed since she’d sat on a couch in comfort, felt safe, let herself just exist without fear. She slept for a day and a half. I didn’t bother her. For the first time in who knows how long, she slept without scanning the room through one eye. She woke up, had breakfast, and when I told her I had errands to run, she politely declined to stay. She went on her way. That was the greatest Christmas gift I got this season: watching someone find joy in something as simple as a soft couch and a TV. Don’t take the little things in life for granted. Happy New Year.#JoyfulMoments #WholesomeMoments https://sewermeetsthesea.substack.com