Short Stories

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Christmas Meets God


My list was barely even touched. Oh, the list itself had been handled hundreds of times and items scratched off, but there were still entries that hadn't been located as of yet. Teenagers had more gadgets in this technical world to choose from than I did growing up. When I was their age I was happy to just receive a little black and white television set for my bedroom. Nieces and nephews were counting on me to be Mrs. Santa, getting everything they requested, along with my own children's wishes.

People with several bags hanging off every arm, were rushing about the crowded mall, not making eye contact with anyone, fearful that will slow them down. Their only reason for being here was to complete their own scavenger hunts. Oh, the look of relieve when another something was eliminated.
I was worn out. This shopping had to come to and end. I didn't enjoy it one iota. My whole family was spoiled rotten and this wasn't going to help. One morning that only comes once every three hundred and sixty five days is sure expensive. I could float the bill for a fantastic two week cruise in exchange for this one day.

I spied one of my nephews' Christmas wish sitting on a shelf feet from me. I aimed my body, weighted down with gifts, in the direction of the coveted item. Suddenly...Wham! I was tackled from the rear as a woman grabbed the only remaining game and raced to the cashier. Her son loosened his grip on me and grinning victoriously waved at me, using only one finger!

That was it! I paid a social call on the gym to work out the war tension from my muscles. But first I had to pass three phony Santas ringing dorky bells over obviously empty cauldrons. I had no inclination to support someone's laziness by donating mullah, apparently that view was shared by the others that passed with their wallets tucked firmly in body cavities.

At the gym I was faced with a Toys for Tots carton at the registration desk. Give me a break, if these kids lived with parents who couldn't afford toys they needed food and clothing more than anything else. I proudly envisioned my car crammed with the goodies I purchased for the youth in my family. They'd have a great few hours X-mas morning till they got bored with their new stuff and went house hopping to trade off their new possessions with their friends' new treasures.

On the way home I made a stop for milk. There it was again. Another reminder of need: a food barrel at the check out to help the food bank. What is it with December that brings out every "give-me-something-for-nothing" group?

Exhausted and with a sense of accomplishment I headed home, I had one more day to shop and just a few things left to get., it would be a breeze.

Three fire trucks passed me, boy those lights sure look pretty, but the noise. You think they'd have developed seasonal sounding alarms by now, it is 2006 after all! The siren sounds got louder the closer I got to my personal dwelling. Someone on my street must have "boo-booed."

Turning the corner I gasped, "Gasp!" All the commotion was at my address.
I hit the accelerator and braked hard by my driveway. Firemen prevented me from hurtling into my front door. This is the second time to day I've been used as a tackling toy.

My worst fears were put to rest when my twins and their sitter bounded out of the neighbor’s house, with Scruffy, our little dog, on their heels, unperturbed by the disaster. The twins were delighted with all the excitement.

"Mom, Jeff was smoking!" Cindy declared.
"What!" I was flabbergasted. "You started this!"
"Don't worry mom, I know you're against cigarettes so I used one of the home made ones you had in your dresser, if it's okay for you, I thought I could use it," Jeff proudly announced pulling a spare from his pocket. I quickly grabbed it before the police officer approaching me caught my ten year old with a joint in his little hot hands.

After every thing settled, the American Red Cross showed up to help. I tried to contact family for a place to stay while my domain was being restored. The damage had been contained to the rear of the house but smoke and water damage needed to be remedied., plus the now shattered front door that bore firemen’s axe marks. My sister had in-laws staying with her so there was no space at the inn. I heard my nephew asking in the background if his Christmas present had been ruined. (He didn't ask how I was, the darling little brat!) It thankfully was still in my car trunk.

My brother's wife didn't want her house messed up before the Christmas bash two days from now. "Come on, I'm family!" I pleaded, but my brother's blood ties were hampered by his fear of loosing his own blood at his wife’s hands. The nursing home my parent’s were in wasn’t even an option! On down my cell phone contacts I went, getting different excuses but the same result.

I finally agreed to let Red Cross set me and mine up in a motel with a kitchenette. I was lucky according to them, the bunk house was full and we qualified for the presidential suite, it appeared to have been in existence since the first First Family was in office. Family and "friends" all around me and I'm in a motel for the holidays! I could have charged for nicer accommodations but I needed to be frugal till I learned the damage's extent. The Salvation Army brought me some clothes, horrible unmatched stuff and the food bank brought over some groceries that looked like some one had cleaned out their pantry; old out dated cans with rusty lids.
"What's this about?" I questioned, holding up the cast off can goods.
"People just aren't very giving anymore," was the answer I received. "We try to do the best we can to meet unexpected needs such as yours but we aren‘t getting help refilling our pantry."

I was never so thankful to have one last herbal cigarette on hand after the kids fell in to slumber land, which they did after complaining about the lack of cable, computers and other luxuries. They actually fell asleep from boredom or maybe self defense after I recommended reading a book that I found in the night stand, a Gideon's Bible. I decided to give the book a test drive, this was actually my first exposure to a Bible! Oh, I knew what they were, I've heard all the hype about prayers in public places and religious freedoms etc.. but I never owned a Bible, nor was I raised by parents who had one. They just told us we were Christians because America was founded by Christians. This neat little book had several pages at the front with suggested readings. I ended up snuffing out my lighted treat, flushing it's mostly unused remains in the toilet, and.....I prayed a silent sample prayer I was sure reached it's destination.

My kids' presents were in the house, watered down by water houses and smoke damaged, so Christmas morning we enjoyed the gifts I purchased for friends and family. It wasn't on my agenda to associate with anyone today, not feeling extremely welcomed! I got the opposite response of happy from my spawn; they complained about how little they received and already owning some items, having exchanged their own stuff with friends over the past months, obviously without checking with me. Well, I was delighted to put on the cashmere sweater that would have draped my sister-in-law's shoulder, and squirted White Diamond perfume (that had almost gone to my sister) on my neck..

Latter in the afternoon we bundled up in hand-me downs, to eat at the Salvation Army's soup kitchen. Getting there we discovered other homeless people don't stay in bed long, and all that was left were turkey bones, dishes stained by cranberry sauce, one mayonnaise covered pea left from a pea salad and crumbs from what was once a pecan pie. Apologies were offered us, but no food. We returned to the motel where I rustled up some spam sandwiches and store brand pork and beans that was more fat than pork or beans, and were slightly outdated by three years. Well, if we got food poisoning we’d get a nice hospital bed and more clean clothes that opened in the back.

After home sweet home was reopened to us, and the insurance money was received to help cover the losses, calls started coming inquiring whether New Years was still on at my house! Of all the nerve! I didn't return any calls, for fear I'd say something unlady like. Oh! The hell with it I thought as I returned the most aggravating calls, after all the Christian life was a progression, at least I knew I'd forgive them someday…maybe! Then I packed up my kids and went shopping, boy were they delighted! That is till I delivered everything I purchased to the Salvation Army and Food Bank to repay their kindness sevenfold. I wrote a check to the American Red Cross to meet some other tragedies. And the Gideon's Bible Tract Society got a hefty contribution, they definitely reached one person on Christmas Eve. And the kids...they were going to learn some new lessons in the upcoming months. We were going to return to simpler living, one computer one television set, with time restrictions on both, and no, absolutely no home made cigs! Oh yeah, our Sundays will be spent looking for a church home! That'll be something that will shake their spoiled little worlds! I think I learned how hardships can happen to the best of us (and even me!), but for the grace of God.



"Lord Jesus, I admit I am a sinner. I repent now of my past. I believe you shed your blood to save me, to forgive my sins and give me eternal life. I believe you are risen from the dead. I ask you to be my Lord and Saviour. I decide now to love and serve you."


Pro 14:21
Pro. 17:5
Pro. 19:17
Rom 10:14-16
1 Cor 15:9-10
James 2:15-17
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