Writing Resources from Fifteen Minutes of Fiction

Christmas Collage

Christmas Day doesn't come in celebrations or packages - it comes in moments.

12:01 am. The organ creaks and vibrates a trail of glad-souled glory across the decorated church, shaking the stones that have stood there proudly since 1903. I can barely hear my own alto voice rush along behind it, and I almost cry as the beauty of the song and His coming fill every inch of my soul. Come, let us adore Him!

A small face peeks under the covers of my make-shift mattress-on-the-floor bed in Mom's basement. Sam, my two year-old nephew decides it's time for me to get up. (His 16 year-old uncle helped him arrive at this decision). I smile at the puppy curled up on my tummy, and pretty soon we are all tumbling up the stairs, a tangle of black paws and baby feet, to find the rest of the family.

The sea of wrapping paper is starting to rip-tide into a giant black trash bag as we clean up the mess of Christmas morning. I look at my mom across the pile of presents, and suddenly I'm on my feet, padding over to her in my brand-new striped slippers. "I love you," I whisper in her ear, and we both smile tears away.

I'm one of twenty plus crowded in the high-ceilinged living room of my uncle's 20th century home, and as we watch Grampa hand out the gifts he and Gram picked out months before she died, I think where she would be sitting, and what she might say. When I pull her china doll out of a box, I can smell her homey, grandmother scent and I close my eyes. It's been 48 days since you left us, Gram. Thank you for reminding me you're still here.

The port is rich, and raisiny, and the starlight glow of the Christmas lights around the manger scene in the living room creates the perfect atmosphere. I feel like a spectator, tucked in an overstuffed chair with Mia the mutt, listening to my parents and uncle chat back and forth, watching my brothers fidget with whatever electronic device is handy. I listen to my dog sigh a happy sound, and I pet her silky, triangular head.

Merry Christmas Day, everyone.

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