"There we go, now Santa will find all of us." I say hanging up the very last stocking. Josie smiles as everyone files into the room.
"Oh this place looks magical!" My mother exclaims and I smile at her as Ethan walks over to me. I scoot over some so he can sit beside me then take his hand in mine as he does.
"Oh and we each got our very own stockings?" My dad asks and Josie grins.
"I decorated them myself!"
"That she did." I say and everyone smiles taking their own seats.
"So, what Christmas Eve traditions are you wanting to do tonight Josie?" Alex asks and she smiles.
"Christmas carols, feeding the reindeer, cookies for Santa, one Christmas present, and the Polar Express." She says and I smile
"I think we can manage all of that." I say and she smiles as I reach over and hug her.
"Good." She says
~~~
"A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices for yonder breaks a new glorious morn. Fall on your knees, o hear the angels' voices. O night divine, o night when Christ was born. O night divine o night. O night divine." We finish our third Christmas song and Josie grins.
"What are your last two song choices baby girl?" I ask and she taps her chin.
"Silent Night."
"Oooo and Christmas Shoes. That's your favorite mommy, isn't it?"
"It is baby girl." I say and she smiles as I start Silent Night.
"Silent night, holy night. All is calm, all is bright. Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child, holy infant so tender and mild. Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace. Silent night, holy night. All is calm, all is bright. Round yon Virgin, Mother, Mother and Child. Holy infant so tender and mild. Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace." We finish and Jose claps as the door opens and nurses walk in.
"We heard Christmas carols and just had to join in. We brought some cookies too." The nurse from earlier says and I smile taking them.
"Please, join us."
"Yeah! The more the better!" Josie exclaims and the three nurses laugh then join in on our final song. I pull the guitar out for this one and strum a chord then dive right into it.
"It was almost Christmas time, there I stood in another line. Tryin' to buy that last gift or two, not really in the Christmas mood. Standing right in front of me was a little boy waiting anxiously. Pacing 'round like little boys do, and in his hands he held a pair of shoes. His clothes were worn and old, he was dirty from head to toe, and when it came his time to pay, I couldn't believe what I heard him say.
Sir, I want to buy these shoes for my mama, please. It's Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size. Could you hurry, sir, daddy says there's not much time. You see she's been sick for quite a while, and I know these shoes would make her smile, and I want her to look beautiful if mama meets Jesus tonight.
He counted pennies for what seemed like years. Then the cashier said, "son, there's not enough here". He searched his pockets frantically, then he turned and he looked at me, he said mama made Christmas good at our house, though most years she just did without. Tell me Sir, what am I going to do, somehow I've got to buy her these Christmas shoes. So I laid the money down, I just had to help him out , and I'll never forget the look on his face when he said: "Mama's gonna look so great."
Sir, I want to buy these shoes for my mama, please. It's Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size. Could you hurry, sir, daddy says there's not much time. You see she's been sick for quite a while, and I know these shoes would make her smile, and I want her to look beautiful if mama meets Jesus tonight.
I knew I'd caught a glimpse of heaven's love, as he thanked me and ran out. I knew that God had sent that little boy to remind me just what Christmas is all about... Sir, I want to buy these shoes for my mama, please. It's Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size. Could you hurry, sir, daddy says there's not much time. You see she's been sick for quite a while, and I know these shoes would make her smile, and I want her to look beautiful if mama meets Jesus tonight." We finish and I smile as everyone starts to clap and Josie grins.
"What's next Josie?"
"Cookies for Santa and feeding the reindeer!" She exclaims and we all laugh.
"Let's get you out of that bed some." One of the nurses says and Josie nods as she walks over and undoes all the wires and needles.
"Thank you."
"You are very welcome."
~~~~~~~
