The gift we don't understand

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It was my first winter in rural South Dakota, and despite the worrisome weather, I was planning a road trip. On Sunday morning, one of my parish members came up to me and solemnly handed me a coffee can. It contained a roll of toilet paper, a candle, some matches, and a candy bar. “Put this in your trunk,” she said. I had no idea what this was. “Thank you,” I said.

It was a winter survival kit. Later on, much later on, I discovered what each item was for. Every piece, including the humble coffee can, could help me survive if I were stranded in a snowstorm.