A Christmas Story!

The candles are glowing on the tree. Logs in the hearth give the room a hugging warmth. Presents are waiting in anticipation. It is Christmas Eve! A cozy feeling envelopes the woman sitting by the window, watching in silence as snow begins to fall. She remembers------- many years ago.............

Like many little girls, born after the war, she did not know why Christmas morning there would be only passed-down or home-made clothes under the small tree decorated with real candles. Although her parents always made sure there was enough to eat for her and her sisters, she was envious when the "well to do" children of the neighborhood displayed their New Dolls or Tricycles. Many Christmas Eves she would cry herself to sleep making a silent wish that one day she would find a New Doll under the tree Christmas morning. Every year her mother would quietly tell her that "Christkind" was poor too and could not bring her a Doll this year again. Then one day her Papa left, looking for work, he did not come home and Christmas Eve was upon them. He would not be home for Christmas. She went to bed that evening crying because her Papa would not be there in the morning. This time her silent wish was that he would be safe, where ever he may be.

In the dark of night she was awakened by the aroma of Gingerbread baking. She heard the crunch of footsteps on fresh snow and the tinkling of tiny bells outside her window. She was quiet as a mouse, afraid if she moved she would wake up from this wonderful dream. Wrapped snug in her goose down comforter, which her mother had made for her, tasting the gingerbread and watching the snow falling outside her window she slept.

It was early morning when she heard her mother quietly telling her to get up. To come and see what Christkind had brought her. She opened her eyes and there standing beside her Mother was Papa. She was amazed that her silent wish had come true! He was home! When they all entered the kitchen there was fresh baked gingerbread and under the small candle lit tree there was the most beautiful Baby Doll she had ever seen. Dressed in a blue crochet cap, sweater and leggings. Wrapped in the softest white blanket decorated with tassels and tiny pink roses. The kitchen and the tree all seemed aglow and in the center, bathed in a rosy light, her Baby Doll.

It was the best Christmas Ever!

Although it happened many years ago, it is only now that the woman realized. When she stopped wishing for herself and wished that her Papa would be safe, her dreams came true!

This is my Christmas wish for all of you--May all "Your" dreams come true!

Have a wonderful and safe Christmas!

Best Wishes STARSURFER!

********************************************

Back to Christmas!

Starsurfer Universe