Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Christmas Gifts (11/13/08)
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TITLE: Silent Night - - Please! | Previous Challenge Entry
By Kathy Ludwig
11/16/08 -
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"What are you kids doing? I just finished cleaning in here! I wish you would just sit still and be quiet for one minute! Up to your rooms, all of you – and don't make any messes while you're there!"
The kids scattered and Jennifer started cleaning again. It was two days until Christmas. Her children were home for vacation and were like wind up toys on steroids. Jennifer had been cooking, shopping, wrapping and cleaning since Thanksgiving and was worn to a nub. The combination was a recipe for disaster.
As she finished, a dull thumping noise began in quick rhythm. It came from the vicinity of the kids' bedrooms. Dragging herself up the stairs, she narrowed the source to Jason's room. Bored, he was throwing his basketball against the closet door. "Jason, knock it off! Why don't you wash up for dinner and set the table?" Jason bounded for the door and ricocheted his way to the bathroom.
"Hey, no fair!" whined Ava. "How come he gets out of his room and we don't?"
"Ava, stop whining. Go feed the dog then wash up," Jennifer answered.
"Daddy's home!" screamed Greta as the side door slammed. Jennifer flattened herself against the wall to avoid being run over by the five year old as Greta streaked past her and down the stairs.
Sounds of happy greetings floated up the stairway as Marty made his way through the house. "Hard day?" he asked and kissed her hello.
"Yeah! Whoever invented Christmas vacation was not thinking, that's all I can say," Jennifer replied.
"They're just wound up about the holiday," Marty offered.
"I know, my nerves are ragged and they're pulling on the rags!" Jennifer chuckled. "I just wish they would sit still and be quiet for one minute. Just one!" She sighed and headed back down the stairs to break up a shouting match.
"Ava, Jason did not intentionally give you the bent fork! Can't you two just be quiet for one minute?"
The kids tussled through dinner, created tidal waves during bath time and couldn't sit long enough for bedtime prayers. Jennifer's pleadings to sit still and/or be quiet for just one minute of peace went unheard and unheeded.
Christmas Eve was no better. Ava practiced "Jingle Bell Rock" all day in anticipation of performing for her grandparents. Jason chased the dog through the house, trying to attach reindeer antlers to the hapless retriever who nearly knocked over the Christmas tree. Even getting ready for Christmas Eve service was a struggle as Greta complained and cried that her dress was itchy.
Jennifer repeated her request ad nauseam, "Can you just sit still and be quiet for one minute?" until even she was tired of hearing it.
Home again, it was time for one of the kids' favorite Christmas traditions. Each was given one present to open in anticipation of Christmas morning. Peels of laughter and squeals of joy greeted each opened package. When the children were finished, Jennifer announced that it was time for bed. Marty exclaimed, "Wait! There's another gift here that needs to be opened. Why, I believe it's for Mommy!"
Jennifer smiled. This was not part of the tradition, "What's going on?" she wondered.
"Open it! Open it!" the kids demanded in unison.
"Well, okay, I guess." Jennifer sat down and began to unwrap the gift before her. In the box was a card that read, "Here is what you wanted most for Christmas!" signed Eva, Jason and Greta.
Jennifer peaked through the tissue but found nothing in the box, questioning, she looked up to see her three offspring sitting cross legged before her, silent and smiling angelically. Greta covered her mouth with her hand, fighting to keep the giggles locked up as she looked at her mother's puzzled face.
"What? . . . Ahhh!" sighed Jennifer as she understood. She simply beamed at her children and basked in the moment. A minute later, they jumped up, hugged her hard and deposited kisses on her face.
"Did you like it Mommy?" Greta asked, excited. "We sat still and were quiet for one minute!"
"More than you will know - until you're a mommy yourself," Jennifer answered and hugged her little girl.
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