Christmas Storys

Christmas Story

A few days before Christmas, I was lost - alone. Outside in a cold December night, all I had were my old black jeans, my knitted jacket a friend once made for me. It was created of thick wool, so it kept me warm. But, I was shaking from days without any warm drink, or hardly any food. I could find me a shelter but, I had no luck. I had been homeless now a few days; I lost my home, because I could not pay the rent. So here I am, without any family or friends. Sadly, most of my friends already passed away and my families were spread all over the world. No one in my life, I could lean on.  I don't know what to do; I had never been in such situation before. I wrapped my jacket around me, the snow came falling down heavy. Not the snow that turn wet on you,  no, it was like Snow Diamonds, like crystals from heaven that came down  beautiful and silently. They touched my eyelid, a small magic touch. If only some magic would happen in my life.  I started to feel hungry. All I had were some dry crackers and a bottle of cold water. Everywhere the lights were shining in so many colors. I loved the yellow-white colors; they remind me of the Bethlehem Star. Memories came over me from when I grew up in a Foster home. Not the home a child should be at. But when your parents are not able to give you, what you need, it sometimes is for the better. As in my case.  I remember the Christmas stories that were told, the warm cocoa, the lit up Christmas tree, the warmth from the fireplace. A faded time, yet, so close in my memories. Yes, it where magic...

 I never knew that life could be this way; I heard about homeless people even children that have no place to go or no one to turn to. It always brought tears to my eyes. And now, suddenly, I am in the same situation. My feet feels so cold, I knew I needed to find a place to sleep. Some food.  The only place I could think of was the church, down the street. Where I lived,  most of everything that could help the homeless, were closed;  but in my mind I knew that the church was open. Even it was late at night. My hands were so cold. I had a feeling, like nothing could help me to feel warm again.  A few people passed me by, but no one took notice of me, nor my need of help. I could see the shopping windows, so nicely decorated for Christmas. I remember how I loved to decorate the tree, as a child, the night before Christmas. It was a rush of joy I will never forget. When all the presents were laying so underneath the tree.  If only I could have that again.  It had been years since I could celebrate Christmas with a tree, or even a true Christmas.  If I close my eyes I could feel the joy of the memory for a moment. The coldness of the night made me see my reality was more serious.  I felt so sad, from deep within, I could feel my tears roll down my cheek leaving an icy feeling on my skin. The church seemed so dark, no lights to be seen in its windows. It looked so far to walk. My steps became heavy in the snow.  I needed some rest, a place to stay. Just a little shelter. I knew, I could never make it to the church. I felt so tired and hungry, most of all, so cold. Maybe if I could walk over to that tree - I might fall asleep and never again to wake up. This were all I could think about; why me. It felt like my life were over I did not knew anyone, I could not even dare to ask for money or,  a shelter by just knocking on a strangers door. But, I knew if I sit down now, I will never find the magic of Christmas again. So I decided to live. I walked back  into the small lane of old wood houses with  their small street lights, those old lantern lights,  that made everything look so inviting.  I found two cardboards lying inside an open trash container, the water I had were all icy; snow had never tasted so good.  I wrapped the cardboard's around me; I used my jacket over my head, just to feel warm. It helped, but still my feet were numb of the cold and I could hardly move, as I put each hand under my armpits to warm them.  I must have fallen asleep right there in a small lane between two houses. I found myself dreaming about Charlie. Charlie were a dog I used to have. He ran away - it has been five years now. I actually got him as a Christmas gift, two days before Christmas. I never forget when I first saw his expressions. He were my best friend from that moment on he was a Bernard dog with the most adorable eyes;  a heart of a treasure. He were all mine, until the day my door were unlocked, he must have slip out without even knowing what direction to walk. Someone must have kept him or, something happened to him. Sadly I had no collar on him.  I searched for him for days, for weeks. Days was never been the same. You know the feeling,   when you lose someone you dearly love? A pet is your best friend, a family member that never judges you, but always stays with you to love you...

I woke up with tears in my eyes that felt like been frozen on my skin.  I was out of breath and confused.  I could feel my body was numb from the cold. Out of nowhere I heard a man shouting out to someone to get away.  He continued to scream out in the most horrible way, could he have seen me? With a peak between my cardboard, I could not see anyone so none had seen me.

My thoughts drifted away and I saw myself walking into a store. I could feel the warmth of the inside. If I could only find a place, protecting me from the wet and cold outside and if it was for Christmas Eve, only.  I felt very lonely, I always wanted to be with Family and Friends on Christmas; knowing I was loved. To know I were worthy. A magic Christmas, that I could feel with joy in my heart. But who could know I were dreaming, and I am sure Santa has no time for me - if he even existed. My stomach was making sounds of hunger I were so much in pain how can I go on?  My eyes closed for a moment, I was weak, and my mind turned reality into fantasy. I did not know if the woman I saw was me or someone else. The snow kept falling down but this time it melted wet on my clothes,  my thoughts went back to my memories of  childhood. Where I had built a snowman and even made snowball war with the neighbor’s kids.  I had so much fun.  I even remember we made snow houses. We lit a candle inside the house and it turned out to be pretty warm. We often brought some lunch and made it really comfortable in our snow houses.  My childhood memories were cut short when something suddenly landed upon me...

“Out of my cardboard!” Two eyes meet mine. I must have lost my breath for a second or two.  I could not tell if I was laughing, crying or, dreaming...

“CHARLIE? Is that you Charlie? Really ? But… oh my goodness…”

 Charlie jumped around in a circle, he licked my face and did a joyful barking, his tail, were flying around. He was as joyful as I. The cold went away even the hunger because the moment was like magic. Maybe the magic of Christmas. What a gift and a long life time surprise,  my eyes were filled with tears, it had been such an emotional reunion.

“Oh my Charlie … Charlie I missed you so much! Where had you been! Oh, never mind, the most important is that you are here now. Healthy and happy! You are finally back home with me.  Is that a collar around your neck?”

 I was reading the name of Buster on it. This is not Charlie?  Maybe the people that kept you all this years named you Buster? Yes, that should be the answer. Because I would know, if you were not my Charlie, my best friend…

 Charlie was still joyful while I was hanging with my thoughts. I had my questions. If Charlie is here, so his new owner must be close, too. Just the thought made me feel alone, with a deep sadness in my heart. Charlie now had a new home; he had to go back to. He could not stay with me out in the cold and homeless, so much went through my mind... Just like if Charlie knew my loneliness, Charlie licked my tears away that appeared without a warning   he softly punched my cheek with his paw and my tears turned into a smile. I put my arms tight around him.  Me, again,  felt a reason to live, to fight,  to stay alive.

How I could still breathe were a given miracle even for me. I needed food, my head were spinning,  my feet was shaken;  I could hardly move but,  I managed to crawl up from where I had been sitting to my feet. Not far from me there was hope, of at least, get a chance to get inside a warm house. One of the food shops. The sweet smell of bakery found me. But without money there were nothing I could do. How did a homeless person do this? From what I had seen, some of them went through trash cans. I could not get myself to even do that. But do I have a choice? If I was lucky there might be some food; left overs. Even the thought made me sick to the stomach. Why me?

By the joy on Charlies face I knew he was well familiar with the bakery, because of the joyful jumps he made. He was full of excitement, but why?  I should get indoors, although  I could hardly walk my feet , my whole body started  getting numb and  I had severe problems even keeping myself on the feet.  Suddenly everything went dark…

The snow that came, were endless. Tomorrow would be Christmas Eve; the magic of Christmas could begin. The Christmas lights were shimmering like diamonds in the many windows, from Christmas trees, small ornaments, and the tendering stars that could be seen far away, guiding the darkness to the light. Special moments for most people, which had a home, to celebrate this special season. From the church, far in the distance, voices from children singing Christmas carols could find even the most broken soul. Lynda was soon covered by all the heavy snow fall. No one saw her lying there on the ground; frozen, with only a few heart beat left. If she was not found in time, she would fade away into another world.

Buster was gone far from Lynda. He had gotten some food and water, even a good cuddling moment but, he had no time. He had to run back, to find Lynda. He sure were happy today, and his actions was well noticed by his friends Berta and little Karen

“Mom, Buster is so happy today!”

 “I wander why? It might be because of the snow Karen, yes?”

“Yes mom, I am very happy, too. It´s not Christmas without snow… so magic!  I think Buster wants back out - I will join him Mom. Do you need any more help today?”

“Go ahead, have a great time out, but don’t go too far! Be careful! “The bakery´s door slam fast and hard against the wind outside. Darkness hours that already found the little village.

“Buster! Where are you?”  Buster, already, had found Lynda. With a cry, a loud bark that could be heard all over people came to see what had been the reason, for the dog’s barking. A few men were already by Lynda to see if she were still alive...

Buster kept licking Lynda with a tear in his sad dog eyes. He would not let go of Lynda that were just lying there on the cold street. Covered with snow.

“Roland, does she have a pulse?”

“Barely.”  Roland came over and took her in his arms. He walked as fast as he could through the slippery, heavy snow towards the bakery were Berta already stood in the door, speechless.

“Oh my, poor woman! Get her over here by the fire!”  Lynda came to feel the warmth that, slowly, spread through her cold frozen body. The jump he made when he were happy

“Keep her warm and awake, I will go and get the jump he made when he were happy he doctor!” Everyone couldn´t say a word. They were shocked by looking at Lynda.  Roland was already out of the door again. The warm and damp tongue of a dog licked around my face.  I could find myself looking into these beautiful eyes of Charlie, again.  

“My Charlie...“

“Mom, she is awake and she calls my dog, Charlie´!”

 I was just grateful for being alive and that Charlie was, again, by my side. Berta leaned over me.

“How do you feel? Are you alright.”

“Yes…”  I could hardly whisper, nor could I move my lips to speak;  but the more warmth spread through my body, the more I could control myself again.  I could finally feel my feet again,  thou it was painful.

“What happened?”

“We are not sure but, Buster found you. Almost frozen in the snow; we are very glad he found you!”

“Who are you?” I was waiting for her answer but, before she could answer, Roland and the doctor entered the bakery.  Lynda saw them walking towards the place she lied, and then she had already fallen asleep again. It just came over her.  Wrapped in a warm blanket, Charlie in her arms.

“So strange that Buster is so found of her, Mom.  And she called him Charlie…”

“I know, you told me and there might be a reason for this.”

“Oh Mom, please tell me.”

“No. It is not the right time for it now.”

The doctor told everyone to leave, so he could take a look at his patient.

The last moment of my dream, before I heard a very familiar voice. All I kept hoping for were a Christmas Eve, where love towards me existed and a family... I saw a familiar face but, then again, my grumbling stomach reminded me, that I had no food for too long and nothing to drink; by that my mind certainly was playing games on my reality. Yet, the voice I heard sounded too real.  A voice I knew very well from my past and without any more hesitation I needed to ask.

“Is it actual real? I mean, is it really you or, are you just a dream? Oh please. Tell me am not making this up?”

Without any further words I felt some good warm arms around me and the most wonderful hug.

“I am here now… it’s me, am real.” After a pause he went on. “It has been such a long time without knowing anything about you. We will talk more but, first I need to examine you...you are very lucky to be alive…”

 Sleep came over me, one more time. I could relieve my childhood growing up with a few good Christmas memories. They were few but those I remember the most, were the Love in my life. I woke up again. Not knowing how long I slept this time. I heard music of Christmas carols, I waked to the smell of sweet Christmas bakery. I could see a window and the beautiful snowflakes, which softly fell to the ground. A magic moment; children were playing - I could hear laughter and fun. I felt so much better but hungry and extremely thirsty; a familiar voice came closer to me with a smile. I sat up in the bed, while he took place beside of me and took my hands.

“Lynda, I know you must be hungry… Berta has made you some delicious soup that will give you strength again. You are truly lucky. Angels must be watching over you.“  He made a pause. “After all these years, you have not changed. Do you still live down towards the valley?”  

I bowed my head down and tears came to my eyes. Everything was so overwhelming.  With a faded voice, I told him everything that had happened in my live, since we saw the last time. That I am homeless, out on the streets. After losing everything.  I felt ashamed. I was shaking when everything came over me. To feel his warm and caring arms around me I felt a little piece of heaven in my uncle's arms. It was a blessing of life, a true Christmas treasure to have found some family. All he could do were to hold me, and that was all I needed. My uncle and my long-lost friend Charlie.

“Uncle Roland where is Charlie?"

“I told him to wait outside to let you rest. He did not move at all, he has been watching you through the crack of the door; he never left your sight.”

 We both smiled about the loyalty of this wonderful dog. I still cried, but now, I had tears of joy in my eyes. Charlie jumped next to me. He was happier than ever to see me recover.

“I soon will be fine again, Charlie.” Everything was just magic. All my dreams came true this Christmas Eve. The family I missed and the dream to be reunited with my best friend Charlie.  All of this was given to me this time in my life, when I needed it the most. I felt blessed with a true gift, which is the most important in life - the love of a family. A perfect Christmas Eve; a beautiful wonderland of falling snow, like soft feathers, diamonds twinkling by touching the ground. Sounds of carols in the air and the joy in the children’s eyes. The Christmas tree, with its lights like shining stars – yes, this Christmas was an evening to remember; with warmth in each hug. Yes, all I wanted came true this Christmas.

I am working on a new Christmas story.if it will be published this year i cant promise..)But the title is....The gift of magic—A Short Story By Helen Barth

The gift of magic.

By the Christmas tree, she knelt down to the floor that was covered in red wool carpet softly she folded her hands as her mom had thought her to do when you pray to God. Dear God, can you hear me?It's me, Bella; I Pray for all the children just like me to get a warm and secure home. With food with shelter with a safe family that loves them because no one should go hungry God and heal the sick, and most of all let love embrace our planet and everyone who lives here on earth. thank you, God Amen. continues.....