Third Day of Christmas

Happy Boxing Day! Today, Myrna Beth Lambert shares a holiday story that will inspire anyone who has ever grieved a loved one at Christmas. Especially if you believe.

Award-winning author, Myrna Beth (Micki) Lambert, is the mother of three grown daughters and nine grandchildren. She had been married to her husband, Stan, for 48 years. Micki writes poetry and short stories and has had several poems and stories published. Her writing has received many awards including the Tom Howard Short Story Contest and Voice Net Poetry Contest. She has had several Christmas stories published in Bread 'n Molasses. Myrna divides her time between homes in Chicago and Florida.

Poppy’s Christmas Present
By Myrna Beth Lambert

The holiday season was a heartbreaking time for Beth. This was the first time in 48 years that she would not be with her beloved Larry who had passed away in June. Beth missed Larry terribly. They had been childhood sweethearts and she couldn’t remember a Christmas without him

Beth had shed a million tears and just when she thought her heartache was easing she would re-experience the intense pain of her loss.

Beth tried to camouflage her feelings in the presence of her children and grandchildren because she knew that they too missed their Poppy. Although Larry's disability kept him from actively participating in many of the children's activities he had a way of making each of the children feel special. He was so proud of his family.

Larry was an avid baseball fan, although he loved all sports. His grandchildren joined their Poppy many Sundays and most holidays, cheering for their favorite team while munching on chocolate candy. Larry loved chocolate. He always kept a large bowl of candy on the table next to his favourite recliner.

One Sunday during a game intermission Larry and the kids listened to a commentator praising a rookie for having played an excellent game. The commentator said that the rookie must have been receiving signals from deceased player Babe Ruth.

“Do you believe that?” asked the grandchildren.
“I do,” replied Larry. “When my time comes I'll try to send you a signal or a sign that I'm with you. It may not be immediately apparent so watch for it,” he said.
Larry then changed the channel and they began watching another game.

The night after Larry died Beth’s friend Janice attended a baseball game with her son Steve. Just before the game began, a huge rainbow cast its ray of colours across the field. Steve said, “Look that’s a signal from Larry. He is watching the game from above.”

That same night Beth was sitting at her dining room table with the family when she noticed a spot on the table. Beth turned to her oldest granddaughter. “What is this Aimee?”
“It’s a rainbow,” answered Aimee.

Beth thought that was unusual. She had lived in her house for several years and had never seen a rainbow on her table before, but in all her grief she hadn’t given it much thought.

The following day Janice called and told her of the rainbow at the ballpark

“I can’t believe it,” said Beth. “What time did the rainbow appear?”
“Seven thirty,” answered Janice.
“Wow, what a coincidence. I saw a rainbow on my dining room table about that time.”
Janice shrieked, “I have goose bumps. Wait until I tell my son, Steve.”

Beth repeated the story to her family. The grandchildren were ecstatic. They were positive that was Poppy’s sign. Each time the children saw a rainbow they called to say Poppy was sending a greeting. Beth wanted to believe that Larry was sending a signal from above, but she wasn’t convinced.

Christmas Eve Beth joined her friends for an early dinner, but left early. She was lonely and anxious to return to the comfort of her own home. Beth was going to join the entire family early the next morning so that she could watch her grandchildren open their presents. Tonight she just wanted to be alone with her memories.

Beth envisioned her own children hanging their stockings. They always selected the largest of Larry’s socks to hang on the fireplace. She could visualize Larry sitting on the family room floor each Christmas after the children had gone to bed, patiently assembling bicycles, doll houses and train sets.

Beth could still hear the squeals of delight when the children peered over the railing early Christmas morning and discovered that Santa had come. They always laughed at the orange that was at the bottom of their stockings. That orange had been a family tradition. It filled the toes of Larry’s socks perfectly.

Larry had been a wonderful husband and father and Beth was grateful for her memories.

Early Christmas morning Beth arrived at her daughter’s home in time to watch her grandchildren open their presents. Beth tried to share their excitement. She could hear Larry saying, “Put on a happy face, Beth. Enjoy the moment.”

“Oh my darling how I wish you were here,” Beth whispered.

Suddenly, smack in the middle of the floor a rainbow appeared. The grandchildren simultaneously said, “Look Nanny, Poppy’s here with us.”

Beth was stunned. The most beautiful array of colours had cast a reflection in the centre of the wood floor. “Thank you my darling,” whispered Beth. She was now positive that the rainbow was Larry’s sign for it was a bright, sunny day. Weather conditions would not have caused the beautiful colours that graced the family room floor.

Larry’s presence filled the family with joy. Beth could hear his voice in her head saying, “Beth I am here with you and will always be with you.” It was not her first Christmas without Larry after all.

At least that was what Beth chose to believe. And isn’t that what Christmas is all about? BELIEVING?

Bread 'n Molasses Magazine's 12 Days of Christmas continues tomorrow with two poems by Moncton's Annabel Sheila.