Category Archives: Holidays

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Bleakness in Idaho: A Christmas Story in 100 Words

A single bill quivered in her hand as an old tune played in her thoughts, “You picked a fine time to leave me. . . .” Christmas. No money and no husband. Bleakness in Idaho.

How had it come to this?  Dear God, what am I going to do? Her hand swiped across wet cheeks.

A knock. Please, not tonight.

“Thought the kids might like a little something extra.”

It was Mimi, her neighbor, holding a basket bursting with old fashioned goodness: Candies, gifts, iced sugar cookies, a candle. “Merry Christmas, Honey.”

“Merry Christmas, Mimi,” she whispered, “Merry Christmas.”

…………..

TWO STORIES BEHIND THE STORY

This story was written for a 100 word Christmas writing contest. I am sharing it on my blog to highlight those who have lost a lot in recent times. The message to this story is the need to be sensitive to others who are sad during the holiday season, and to give because we have received. It is better to act even if it might be a little embarrassing than to just think about acting.

I remember a Christmas when I was given money from caring people during one of the most difficult years of my life. I was unemployed, recently divorced, worried, and emotionally weary. Their gifts plus a bouquet from my siblings meant so much. That year my friends John and Wanda gave my five children and me the most gorgeous Christmas tree.

This story found its voice from another sad story. A friend of mine was left by her husband when her sons were young. He cleared out the house–taking the furniture and almost everything–while she was at work. When she and the boys came home they found themselves left with next to nothing.

My friend didn’t want the pain of the moment to scar her sons. She bottled her tears as she regrouped. Thinking quickly, she spread a blanket on the floor and told her boys that they were going to have a picnic. She made a pizza. They sat on the blanket and enjoyed their picnic all the while her heart was breaking and her fears mounting. Years later tears still surface when she tells the story.

Is there anyone you know who could use a little encouragement this Christmas? Why not surprise them with a little something extra.

……

I have one more 100 word Christmas writing coming another day.

 

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A Woman Named Charity: A Christmas Story in 100 words

“What’s your name, Mam? Charity? Nice name. Where’s your home, Charity? No home? Listen, Charity, it’s too cold to be out here.” Recognition dawned. Oh, no! He knew that face. Charity Michiavelli, the world class opera singer.

The Policeman’s baritone burst forth, “I’ll be home for Christmas; You can count on me.”

Light flickered in her eyes. Her chin lifted, a lilting soprano responded, “Please have snow and mistletoe and presents on the tree.”

Their voices rose in crystal clear harmony in the night air. . . finishing with, “I’ll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams.”

His hands clasped hers.

————-

This story was written for a Christmas writing contest. Submissions were limited to 100 words. I desired to share it because behind every homeless person is a story and the human side of struggle.

A few years back in a magazine I read the story of a homeless person on the streets of New York. She had been an opera singer of some renown then turned journalist correspondent. As a journalist she had covered stories in war-torn, dangerous places around the world.

The article showed pictures of this woman from the past to the present–opera singer, news correspondent, homeless. She was physically beautiful with a striking, unusual appeal. She had fallen into mental illness and had purposely distanced herself from her past life, lost to her family and friends and living estranged from those whom had loved her. This woman was asked if she had ever been raped while covering a news story. Her reply, “What do you think?” like, duh.

Her story touched me as I looked at her “before” and “after” pictures and felt her story’s heartbreak.