Christmas Present Miracle

 

It’s that time of the year again, when I head over to the home of the Old Man on the Porch for a Christmas Story.

 

“Hey, Old Man, I sure would like to hear one of your famous Christmas Stories.”

“I reckon I could tell you one, ‘cause I be knowing you won’t leave until I do,” he stated with a slight smile.

 

The Old Man took a deep breath, exhaled, and then commenced, . . .

 

Many years ago, there was this young boy, who went to the grocery store every day after school, rain, or shine. He would stand by the door and ask folks for the pennies in their pockets or coin purses.

Some folks obliged, others did not. On a good day he would collect between five and ten pennies. Occasionally, a person would ask him what he wanted to buy with the pennies. The boy always answered, “I want to buy my sister a present for Christmas.”

Most folks thought he was lying to con them into giving him more money, but a few would give him an extra nickel or dime.

Now, I know you’re wondering why the boy was so committed to the task of buying his sister a Christmas present. Well, truth be told, the boy, along with his mother and father live in an old two room house on the edge of town. His father worked in the coal mines and barely made enough money to feed the family. The boy’s sister, Mary, was diagnosed with incurable cancer and was in the hospital-and there was a strong chance she would not live to see another Christmas.

The Love Bear

When Mary and her brother used to walk to and from school each day, they always walk by the drug store, because in the display window, there was a large, stuffed pink bear. Mary loved seeing the bear and every day, her brother told Mary that he would buy it for her someday. Mary knew he couldn’t, but she liked imaging that he could.

Summer came and gone and Christmas was fast approaching. The boy, as he had done every day after asking for pennies at the grocery store, went by the drug store window to make sure the bear was still there, before visiting his sister.

He always told Mary he saw the bear, knowing it would make her smile.

On the day before Christmas Eve, the boy counted all the money he had collected and when he was done, he smiled – finally, he had enough to buy the bear! He hurried to the store and bought the bear.

Christmas morning, the boy, anxious to give the bear to his sister, woke up early and rushed to the hospital. When he arrived, he was surprised to see his father and mother were already there. His mother was crying and his father was talking to a priest. Mary, . . .

Now, I know what you’re thinking; you’re thinking Mary died. Quite the contrary. She was alive and sitting up in the bed, with a big smile on her face. The reason why she was smiling was because the doctor had just told her the cancer in her body was completely gone, and she was looking at her brother, Thomas, who was holding the Large Pink Bear.

I reckon some folks will tell you Mary’s amazing recovery was a Miracle, but I prefer to believe it was a brother’s love for his sister that cured her.

 

“Isn’t your name, Thomas?” I asked the Old Man.

“It is,” he replied with a smile.

 

Merry Christmas!

Love is the best present you can give.

j/k

 

  

Here Today - Gone Tomorrow

A jolly good time was had by all. 

The elderly man eased his weary body into his old, worn-out chair, as he had done many times over the years after a long day. 

His tired eyes glanced left and right through the room that a few days ago was filled with laughter and joy. 

The memories of his six grandchildren on Christmas morning were fresh on his mind, and how they hurried around the tree, eager for their name to be called and handed the present they hoped was the one they wished for the night before Christmas  

The old man thought back to the days of his youth and Christmas morning, and how quickly the years had passed. 

But now, the room was empty of sound and outside flurries of snow filled the air. Here today, gone tomorrow, the passing of time never sleeps nor pauses. 

He closed his eyes and prayed for all to have a safe return - then a smile appeared upon his face; the reason, . . .

he saw there was one Christmas cookie on a plate on the lamp table next to his chair with a note written by his granddaughter - Merry Christmas Grand Pa.

And May God Bless All

j/k

Previously posted Dec. 29 2023

Mysterious Santa and the Christmas Miracle

Nickel Novel

Title: The Santa Mailman

By: James L. K.

 

A Rock & Rye whiskey bottle jutted out from the pocket of the man dressed like Santa Claus, though he didn’t look anything like a traditional Santa Claus; to thin, to short, to feeble – and he was wearing sunglasses. He certainly wasn't jolly either and frequently coughed. 

He sat on a large, red throne, making him look even smaller, as he waited for the next child to sit on his lap – which was me. The pathetic looking Santa looked more like my Uncle Joe when he came to visit – dazed and slurring every word.

Santa glanced at me briefly, then motioned with a wave of his hand for me to come forward. Instantly, a cold shiver went up and down my spine. I walked towards him. He coughed. The smell of his breath was vile. In a croaky and cheerless voice, he said and asked, “Merrrry Christmas, kid. What’s your name?”

Whatcha want kid?

I answered, Carrie, and reluctantly sat on his lap. Being up close to him, I noticed an old scar on his forehead that stretched beneath his dark glasses. My eyes were rudely fixated on it when he asked, "Whatcha want, kid - for Christmas." 

I hesitated for a moment, and then in one breath, I quickly and at length, systematically, like an auctioneer, rambled off the thirty things I wanted. 

He half-heartedly chuckled and replied, “Sure kid, no problem.”

I jumped off his lap and scampered back to my mother. But that scar, that scar, I thought shaking my head. It jostled a frightful memory – something that happened two years ago.

Suddenly, I remembered. The mailman! The brave mailman, who saved me. It happened when I was walking home from school, on the road near the dried-up creek bed, the place my mother told me to avoid.

From the dense tree line, a wolf came running towards me. I was so overwhelmed with fear, my legs wouldn't move. I did the only thing my fear allowed - I screamed! 

Lucky for me, at that very moment, the mailman was driving down the road and saw what was happening. He smartly drove in between me and the wolf and jumped out, waving his arms and yelling at the wolf. Then, I heard the mailman bellow an agonizing cry of pain. I couldn't see what had happened and could only assume the worst. 

I managed to regain my legs and ran as fast as I could. After going a short distance, I looked back and saw the wolf running away. The mailman was hunched over, but thankfully still alive. I should have gone back and thanked him; I regretted that I didn't. At the time, I thought I'd surely see him again someday - I never did, until now. 

I was certain Santa Claus was the mailman who saved me, and now was my chance to finally thank him. I turned around and ran back. I wrapped my arms around him and kissed him on the cheek. “Thank You, Mailman - I mean, Santa Claus!” I joyously said.

He raised his arm and from around his neck, pulled over his head a leather string. Attached to it was a large claw. "I took care of that pesky wolf. Merry Christmas, kid." as he and handed to me.

Then with a half-smile, he responded, “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays a courier from the swift completion of their appointed rounds . . . not even a wolf.”

-jk-

Be thankful for every moment, because it might be your last.

Previously Posted Dec. 19th 2022