Bella was true to the words she had spoken; her vow to lead the boy would not be broken. So, they bundled up to be protected from the cold, and Johnny knew his wish would be quite bold. The two of them walked out into the snow, and that is when the wind started to blow. Even though the two were bundled up tight, the cold went through them, like a darkness cut by light.
As they approached the home where St. Nick resides, Johnny caught glimpses of the insides. And then there was the big man himself, and Johnny froze in his tracks behind the elf.
“I can’t believe I am going to talk to Santa Claus,” it was too much, and it made him pause. “What if he doesn’t grant my request,” and this caused him to be quite distressed. But, Johnny shook off the ill feeling, so he could concentrate on his dealing. With the big guy in the red fuzzy suit, and this was very important, to boot.
So, Bella took Johnny into the abode, and here was Johnny, as the wind outside bellowed. Another elf, showed them into a fancy sitting room where there were several poinsettia plants in bloom. There they were seated and asked to wait, and were promised it would not be too late. After only five minutes, Mister Claus walked in, and he let out a trio of Ho’s before he would begin.
“Bella, it is good to see you, my old friend. We must catch up, and you tell me how you have been.”
“Please Santa, we will get to that in just a tad, but first we have something to discuss, with this lad.”
Johnny’s mother’s concern grew more by the minute; it seemed the snow piling up would be infinite. The wind blew harder, than it had last night, and it only grew stronger, covering everything in white. For, it was blowing snow that was still falling, but still the search team kept on calling.
“Johnny, if you can hear us, please reply. We want you to come home, so our lives don’t go awry. We could not live without you in our lives,” but all this worry was giving his mother hives.
She knew worrying would not help their cause, if only she could get help from Santa Claus. She said a prayer to the good Lord above, pleading on his good graces, and his love. After all, it was his birthday they would celebrate, if they found Johnny before it was too late. But she had to shake off the negative thinking, and then the sight she saw set her to blinking.
Santa waved Johnny over to sit on his lap, and as Johnny settled in Santa gave his back a tap. “Please tell me why you have come to my home; it can’t be as measly as a car made out of chrome. You have braved the elements to reach out to me, what is it that you have come to me, to plea?”
Johnny’s reply was quiet and cautious, for he was starting to feel a little nauseous. It seems that being this close to the big man had caused him to feel sick and might spoil his plan. But he kept it together long enough to speak, and when he finished he was feeling weak. But he was happy to have the request off his chest, and he knew with this talk he would be blessed.
Santa’s reply was short, sweet, and direct, and it caused Johnny to sit and reflect.
Bella took Johnny and swept him away back to the forest where Johnny had lay. There with his back to the stump where he had lain as a bump.
Johnny began the trek once again looking to find where all this did begin. Back to his house with his mom and dad, and he hoped that they would not be too mad. And then over the wind, he heard his name called, and he began to run and would not be stalled.
He spotted a figure trudging through the snow and another as he heard them bellow. They were still calling his name and had not seen him yet, so he started waving his arms; their attention he would get.
Finally they saw him, his mom and pop, and they ran toward him and didn’t stop. As Johnny and his parents stood crying in the woods, his mother was standing there, with her baked goods.
Then they all hugged as a family together, and it was decided they should get out of the weather.
They sent word out to the entire search party, they would head back to the house, and the celebration would be hearty. So, the search team headed back, happy but weary. They had searched all day, and their eyes were bleary. The party broke up, and they were finally alone, and they took Johnny to bed where their answers would be known.
“Why did you leave,” they asked Johnny, quite blunt. “That was a really stupid thing, not a smart stunt.”
Johnny answered, “As I said in my note, I needed to see Santa. Remember what I wrote?”
“But what was so important that you had to go through the cold and wintry blizzard like snow?”
“Well, now, that I can’t tell you, Mom and Dad. Me and Santa have a pact, and it must go unsaid.”
“Well, we are just happy to have you back home with us,”
And they left him alone, with no more of a fuss. Over the next few days, up until Christmas day, Johnny sat back and observed, and had nothing to say.
Christmas Day
After watching his folks the last few days, he knew he had to give Santa praise. Santa had come through on his promise to Johnny, he had brought them closer, him, Paul, and Bonnie.
Johnny had wanted his parents to stop fighting, so they would be happy again, a reuniting. So that was what Johnny had asked Santa for when he had left that day and walked out the door.
The End
AN ANGEL FOR MAGGIE
Rebecca Vance
My name is Jenny and I’m an angel. Really, I am. I finished my training recently, and I have just been promoted to my first post as a guardian angel. I was made in Heaven. Some angels were once human and after death became angels. Since I had never experienced it personally, it was interesting to see what they acted like. So far, I was not impressed. I am about to be briefed on my assignment so I am currently viewing a scene from my charge’s life. She doesn’t appear very happy.
“She’s my mother, Vanessa! Can’t you be a little understanding?, the man pleads.
“Understanding? What I understand is that I am left here all day to play babysitter while you go to work without a care in the world and sometimes come home late. It wouldn’t be so bad if the perfume and whiskey didn’t give you away!” Vanessa starts to sob and a door slams in another room. The old woman looks upset and confused at the same time. She looks around as if she has lost something.
I look down upon the unfolding scene in wonder. I glance up and ask, “But how can I help them? Why does the old woman look lost?”
Sarah, the senior angel and my advisor, sits on a cloud directly above me. Cloud and all, she floats down beside me. “You are going to be earthbound until tomorrow. You will appear to be human and befriend the old one. Her name is Margaret, but all those close to her call her Maggie.”
I am shocked at the news and quite curious. “Why?”
“What do you mean, ‘why’? Today is Christmas Eve. You will be back for the festivities tomorrow. I have never known you to question decisions before.”
“No, I am a bit surprised that I am to be allowed to go to Earth so soon, but that isn’t what I meant. Why do her friends call her Maggie, if her name is Margaret?”
Sarah laughs her special laugh, a melodious sound, but I barely notice as I wait for her reply.
“Jenny, humans that are familiar with one another, such as friends or family members, refer to one another with what is called a ‘nickname’. A nickname is a shortened form of the full name. It is meant to be affectionate. Do you understand now?”
“I’m not really sure, Sarah. If it is meant to be affectionate, and we believe that all humans should love one another, then why bother with the name Margaret at all? Why isn’t her name simply Maggie?”
Sarah seems exasperated with me. “It just is not, that is all! Anyway, that is not the important thing here! Pay attention, Jenny. You have never been to Earth before. Although your training covered the attitudes and customs, I still need to prepare you. You need to be there for Maggie. Now since you will be a stranger to her, let her tell you what to call her. She will introduce herself as either Margaret or Maggie. You will call her what she i
ndicates. Do you have any questions?”
“Yes. Will everyone be able to see me, or only Maggie?”
“Finally, a sensible question! Yes, everyone will be able to see you. You will appear to be another human to them. That is why it is important for you to remember their customs. You will be among them and you must not reveal yourself until the right time. Understand?”
“Yes, I understand. Will I be departing now?”
“It is important for you to arrive on Earth as soon as possible. So let me begin your final briefing.
The training is interesting. Humans are complex creatures, with much angst and emotions. I wonder if I can ever truly understand their motivations and how and why they act upon them. I’ve never wondered about time before. It doesn’t matter in Heaven. But, how much time has elapsed on Earth? What is going on with the family now? Will I get the chance to see before I have to descend? As always, Sarah can understand my curiosity without words between us.
“Yes, you can see one last time”, she answers the questions in my thoughts. “Then you will depart. You will be as a human until the time is right to reveal yourself. You must say nothing about it until it is time.”
I nod in agreement. How many times has she told me this? The scene I viewed before continues with Vanessa still crying. She is back in the living room and there is no sign of Vanessa’s husband, Eric. I want to check on Maggie. I think of her as Maggie, not Margaret. She isn’t in her bed! Where is she? I look at Sarah.
“This is exactly why you are needed”, she confirms.” Maggie has left the house. The arguing scared her. She heard herself being referred to in anger, so she went for a walk. That used to be what she did to think. Now it is more dangerous. Maggie is sick. She is old and she has what is called Alzheimer’s disease. Her memory fades in and out. This is a head sickness and affects memory and how a person reacts to stimuli. She is out in the night and it is very dangerous for her. She may not know how to get home.”
“That explains why she seems so lost, like she is searching for something. So, I am to go there and take her home?” I think that seems easy enough.
“No. There is more to it than that. You have to befriend her and get her to open up and talk to you. Other angels will be working on each family member. You must stay with Maggie. She cannot be alone.”
In an instant, or in the blink of an angel’s eye, as we say, I go from a cloud in Heaven to the city streets where Maggie is. How will I ever find her? As it happens, I don’t need to find her. There she is, right in front of me. She is sitting on a park bench looking around at the unfamiliar surroundings. She appears sad. I sit down beside her and she gives me a side glance, and turns to look at me.
“Hi”, I say, “My name is Jenny.” I wait for her to introduce herself. She is silent. I decide to be direct. “What is your name?”
“I don’t remember. Can you believe that? I can’t remember my own name!” She jumps up and paces around the bench. “I need to find the man! He can tell me!”
“What man? A family member? Or your husband?
“Yes, my husband! His name is Ben. That’s right, Ben!”
I try a different approach. “Do you know where Ben is? I’ll go with you to find him.”
“Yes, I know. He isn’t far from here. Let’s go. It’s over that way.” Maggie points straight ahead.
We walk for a few blocks, and we come upon a gate. Above the gate is a sign. Coventry Cemetery. So she is aware that he is dead. Confused myself, I follow her through the gate.
Maggie leads the way to a grave with a tall marble headstone. It reads: Benjamin Harper 1920-2000 Loving husband and father waiting on the other side. Maggie runs her fingers over each letter as if caressing a cheek.
“I can’t believe I couldn’t remember his name! I lived with this man and loved him, for over 50 years! How could I forget his name?”
Tears flow down her cheeks, and make her face red. I admit it. I am curious. I reach out with a finger to wipe her tears. I nearly gasp aloud! They are hot! No wonder her face is red! It isn’t true when humans say that angels don’t cry. Oh yes, we do, but not in the same way. It is more inward than outward. She looks at me. She is so sad. I want to stop her pain.
“You didn’t forget Ben. You may have forgotten his name for a moment, but you remembered that you lived with him, and loved him for over 50 years. You knew where to find him.”
“I come here every day that I remember. I talk with him and tell him I miss him. I want to be with him. I just don’t want to be on this earth without him. If he really is on the other side, I want to go there. I am tired of being in a world that no longer wants me.”
I am about to respond, when singing voices ring out. They don’t sound like the voices of angels, but it is a glorious sound, nonetheless. They are singing carols. It is Christmas Eve and they are celebrating !
“Listen! It is Christmas Eve! Do you hear the beautiful voices, Maggie?” Now I’ve done it! She can’t remember her name, and I have just supplied it for her. I wonder whether she will notice.
“Yes, that’s it! Maggie is my name! How did you know?”
Struggling for an answer, I feel the glow. It starts from my head and spreads to my toes. This is it! It is time to reveal my purpose for being here.
Maggie stares at me in amazement. “You are glowing! The light is so bright!”
“Maggie, I am an angel, sent by God. He wants you to know that He understands your pain. He knows that you want to be with your Ben, and He understands that your family is having problems. He wants to help all of you. You only need to ask Him. This memory loss is only temporary. I know it is confusing. When you meet Ben on the other side, you will never forget anything again, I promise you.”
“You are an angel? Am I dead? she asks me.
“No Maggie. You are very much alive. It is cold out here. Maybe we should go home now?” I encourage.
“I can’t go home. I no longer have a home! My son’s house is not a home. They fight. All the time, they fight. Mostly about me and what a burden I am to them. Eric only has me with him because I am his mother and he has no other choice. Vanessa doesn’t like me. I frustrate her. She would like to put me in one of those old folk’s’ homes and be done with me. I wouldn’t like that. I want my old home back. That will never happen though, will it? Jenny, can you take me to be with Ben? Ben was always my home. Wherever he was, home was there. Can I go to Ben?”
“I understand that you want to be with Ben, Maggie, but it isn’t your time to go yet. You still have work to do here.”
“What work? I can no longer---“
Her words are cut off with the arrival of Eric and Vanessa. They are both crying. Eric runs up to Maggie and hugs her.
“Mama! I’m so glad we found you! We were both so worried! We love you and want you to come home! I promise, it will be better!, he vows.
“Is there a home to go to? I overheard Vanessa. She said that you’ve been drinking and had the scent of another woman on you. If you are cheating on your wife, that is not a home, son!” Maggie chastises.
“I would never cheat on Vanessa! I was working late on a special project. When it was completed, my boss and his secretary congratulated me. We toasted with a drink and his secretary hugged me. It meant a promotion for me, and an extra-large bonus and a new account for the company. That’s all it was. It was innocent.” He looks at Vanessa with love that glows almost as bright as I had earlier.
It is Vanessa’s turn. She hugs Maggie too. “I love you too, Mama. I’m so sorry for making you feel unwanted. I was taking my frustrations out on you, and that wasn’t fair. Please, come home with us now. It is freezing out here!”
Maggie loos at them both and asks, “So I don’t have to go to the old folk’s’ home? I really couldn’t handle that you know. I couldn’t be away from Ben. Until we meet again, I must visit him. Did you know that Jenny, here, is an angel? She’s been taking care of me until you came.”
“Yes,
Mama, we heard every word and saw the beautiful glow. Besides that, we met a couple of angels, too. Thank you, Jenny! I never really believed in angels before. I am so glad that you were here!” Eric says to me before looking back at Maggie. “Of course you will not go to an old folk’s’ home”, he promises her. . Your home is with us. You are my mother. I love you! Will you come home now?”
Maggie says that she will and looks back at me. “Jenny, will you come home with us and have some warm cocoa? I have a special cocoa that I make for special occasions!” Maggie smiles for the first time. It lights up her face.
“I believe I will for a little while.” I accept, not wanting this time to end.
We all go back to Eric and Vanessa’s home. The cocoa is so good! I’ve never understood the human obsession with chocolate. Now I understand. I wonder if we can have cocoa in Heaven? I laughed out loud at the thought of Sarah’s reaction to that. We drink cocoa and sing Christmas carols until midnight, when it was time for me to go. I know that Maggie will be with her Ben soon. They will be spending the next Christmas together. Of course, I couldn’t tell them that. They would enjoy one last Christmas as a family-together-the way that families should be. As I leave, they are reminiscing about previous Christmases and the tree is so beautiful and sparkly. It fades as I ascend home to Heaven.
Sarah meets me at the gate, anxious to get my report. She could have just kept watch, but she would never know what it is like to be human. She is curious. “So, what is it like to be human, Jenny? What did you learn?” she asks.
“I learned how to make the most delicious hot drink, called cocoa. Would you like some?”
“Don’t be silly, Jenny! Angels can’t drink cocoa!” she replied.
“I was granted a wish. I wished for us to be able to have one drink of cocoa together.”
Sarah is surprised, but agrees to try it. Back on our clouds now, side by side, we raise the steaming mugs in a toast.
“Isn’t this heavenly?” I inquire.
Sarah agrees that it smells wonderful. As we clink our mugs to complete the toast, we had to agree that maybe there was hope for humankind after all.