As I walked along the snowy sidewalks, I could see the Christmas trees all lit up inside the homes. I wondered if we would celebrate Christmas this year since Daddy had died just the month before. There was such a veil of sadness in our home. We all walked around with our heads down and no one said very much. Mom had her friends, who would come by, and after the hugs and tears, they would sit in the kitchen, drinking coffee and speaking in low voices. Every now and then, I would hear Mom sniffle and someone scooting their chair back to go and comfort her. Without Daddys singing to fill the house, I would sneak into the bathroom, shut the door, and quietly sing, This little light of mine, Im gonna let it shine. Daddy always got a kick out of me singing that little tune I had learned in church. I would sometimes go into Moms bedroom, quietly close the door behind me, and open her dresser drawer where she kept Daddys Prince Albert can. I would open the can and breathe in the aroma. I would take his wedding ring and slip it over my thumb and turn it around and around. Where have you gone, Daddy? I would whisper. Its going to be Christmas and you arent here to bring us a tree this time. Mom always fussed at him for getting the biggest tree, saying it wouldnt fit right in our tiny little house. So Daddy would cut it down some and stick the bottom of the tree into a coffee can and stand it up. Once we put lights on it and decorated it, that tree would illuminate the entire house. I loved to watch the twinkling lights and see the tinsel spin and sparkle. On Christmas morning, Daddy would act like he had no idea what day it was, scratch his head and say, Is it Sunday? and I would say, No, Daddy, its Christmas! He would laugh and say, Oh, I must have forgot. I sure hope Santa remembered. Then he and I would go into the living room and see all the presents under the tree. I would squeal with excitement and say, Santa remembered, Daddy! He would sip his coffee and grin. The afternoon sky was a gloomy gray shroud as I continued to walk home. The Christmas trees twinkled in the fading daylight. Roof tops were adorned with green or red lights all around the top of the houses. A light snow was falling and I extended my hand and caught one in my glove. It was breathtakingly perfect. Somehow I knew it was a gift from Daddy. Happy Birthday (September 13) to my beloved Daddy, who left us all too soon. I still love to smell Prince Albert and when the first snow falls, I still go outside and catch one in my hand. ♥
Posted on: Sat, 13 Sep 2014 01:41:41 +0000
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