The Christmas Miracle

Epilogue

Two days later, on December 26th, our father passed away. He died in his sleep. The true miracle was getting to spend one last Christmas together as a family. We exchanged presents in the hospital, ate food together and mom stayed with him while the rest of us went home to get some sleep. In the morning he was gone.

His death was inevitable, but the pang in my chest wouldn't go away. We were all grieving in our own way.

I sit on the couch by the fireplace, clinging to a note my father left for me before he died. One of the nurses found it under his pillow. It was addressed to me and it was the only one. So, she gave it to me in secret.

My hands feel the paper beneath, ready to open it and see what's inside. I inhale. You can do this, Lina.

Here goes nothing.

Lina,

Take care of the family when I am gone, especially your mother. She is and has always been the best thing to happen to me besides you kids. Don't stay away from home so much either. Family is the most important thing we have in this world. It's the only thing in life worth living for.

This past week has been the happiest I have seen everyone. We were a family again and that has been my wish ever since you left.

And always remember that miracles do happen.

You were our miracle. Our Christmas miracle. Always remember that and never lose faith.

Love,

Dad

The tears pour down my face like pellets of rainwater. Oh, dad. Thank you. He was able to see our whole family happy together before his passing. It was exactly what he wanted. A Christmas miracle indeed. I cling to his note, holding it right above my heart.

"We love you, Dad," I whisper to him.

I smile. The road ahead was not going to be easy. It was going to be a roller coaster filled with pain and loss. One thing was for certain. A miracle did happen this Christmas and it would never be forgotten.