Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Mother (as in maternal parent) (04/24/08)
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TITLE: Silent Night | Previous Challenge Entry
By Jennifer Weiley
04/29/08 -
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“Are we there yet?” Carol was as excited about seeing Grandma as she was about the presents that would be under the tree in the morning.
“No, Sweetie, Grandma lives far away. Try to get some sleep before we get there.” Kate masked her discouragement with optimistic tones.
Bobby and Carol had no intensions of sleep. They kicked as they spiritedly sang Christmas carols and laughed when they forgot the words. Normally, Kate would have been annoyed by their displaced enthusiasm, but tonight Kate choked back tears. She was genuinely blessed by the innocence of their childish behaviors. She wished she could be as carefree as they were.
Anxiety clutched her mind as she strolled passed the last light post of that tiny town. Kate hunched forward as she attempted to find the road which the snow seemed to erase. Her foot barely touched the gas pedal, but her mind raced with unbelieving thoughts towards John. "How after twelve years could you have an affair?"
She couldn’t believe how last month she and John hosted Thanksgiving at their house with extended family; laughter and joy ricocheted through the walls of their home. "How could I not suspect a problem?" Kate felt like life was an abrupt blizzard of uncertainty—like the one she drove through.
“How much longer?” whined Bobby with a yawn.
“You have enough time for a nap.” Kate’s tone became indignant. She quickly pressed her lips together with regret and refrained from talk as she focused on the long, dark road ahead.
Whirlwind-like blasts blew her Ford Escort towards the drifted snow bank. Kate feared the ditch as much as black ice under a highway of white. She pumped the break as she slowed. Kate was relieved by on coming headlights which reaffirmed she was on the indistinguishable road.
Kate relaxed slightly as she approached city lights. The car placidly slid beneath a gas station’s canopy as the frigid wind whipped dust devils of the powdery midnight snow. Kate was grateful for the short respite from driving
The respite was short lived. Kate mustered up a faint confidence to endure through the snow, as she ebbed towards the outskirts of the city limits and back into an abyss of wintry turbulence.
Kate wanted to think happy thoughts about Christmas, but her mind was fixated on John. This was the first Christmas in twelve years they wouldn’t celebrate together. "How do I tell Mom that John has been having an affair for the last six months?"
Kate was weary of driving through the storm and decided to pull over to let the vehicle behind her pass. Without warning tears that were once frozen burst forth as flood waters over a levy. She buried her head in her hands. Unable to control her sobs she hoped the children would sleep soundly. Bitter tears turned into prayers, "Jesus, I put my marriage into your hands." Kate admitted she couldn’t bring herself to be with John because he wouldn’t give up his mistress. "I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t hurt or angry. Lord, I know I’ll need to forgive him eventually, but I can’t do it right now."
Kate didn’t know how long she’d wept on the side of the road, but she did feel the burdens of her soul lift. She felt a spiritual cleanse and renewed strength. As she flicked her left blinker on she saw a glimmer of light flash near the passenger seat, but thought nothing of it.
A few miles down the road she realized God heard her prayers. The storm had stopped. A few aimless snowflakes lingered through the air, but the blizzard ceased. She also found an unexplainable peace had settled in her heart. "God sent an angel to calm my storms."
The serene, young woman pulled into her parents’ driveway with renewed hope. Dismay was replaced with faith.
She and her mother solemnly tucked Bobby and Carol into bed. Sleep had intoxicated the little ones; they didn’t stir. “Silent night,” Kate whispered as she kissed them goodnight. "I don’t know how we’ll weather through this. I just know we will."
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