I always get irritated when stores start putting out Christmas decorations in October. I just don’t care for the commercialization of Christmas—all holidays, for that matter. It seems it’s all about money and profits these days, and we often lose sight of what we are celebrating.
Well, here I am jumping the gun and posting a Christmas story in October! It’s Bluebell Books’ fault! Their story prompt hit me this way, and I had no control over what came rushing out onto the page. Sorry!
(I hope you enjoy the story!)
I was a child again, and I had no idea who the little girl was, or how she’d gotten on such a high limb in our tree.
“You should come down from there!” I shouted, staring up at her.
She paid me little mind, just kept reading the book she held in front of her. I thought I could make out the word LIFE in big white letters on the sky blue cover.
“How did you get up there?” I asked.
She gave me a quick glance, but said nothing.
I looked down, resting my neck and rubbing it with one hand, and when I looked up again she was staring down at me curiously.
I probably looked quite curious too, as I studied a vine that hadn’t been there before, but was now twisted around the trunk and limbs of the big oak. The vine’s leaves were of many different pale colors. I’d never seen anything like it.
“Do you like it?” the girl asked, swinging her legs and smiling down at me.
“It’s beautiful!” I said. “How did you do it?”
She giggled and said, “I didn’t do it, silly. Do you think I’m a magician, or something?”
“Well, you must be because otherwise you wouldn’t be up there.”
Her laughter was musical as she leaned toward me and said. “You are a funny boy.”
“Well, how then?” I asked.
“My Father put me up here,” she said.
I had a sudden burning desire to know who her Father was. I’d never felt so curious about anything. It was as if I knew Him, He knew me, and He was calling to me. I began to swell with joy at the feeling.
“Can I meet Him?” I asked, excitedly.
“You just did,” she said, grinning and giggling.
She rose to her feet; beautiful wings unfurling behind her, as the leaves on the vine lit up in all the brilliant colors of the rainbow; the giant oak suddenly appearing to be a very large Christmas tree. She floated slowly to the top of the tree then sat atop it for a moment, and I felt a warm glow flood over my body.
She began to fade from sight then, as did the vine and bright colored leaves, and just before she was no longer visible, she said, “Merry Christmas, Charlie.”
I awoke in my big chair; Sherry was in the chair next to mine; she was smiling at me; and across the room the many-colored lights on the Christmas tree twinkled merrily. The angel on top of the tree glowed white and bright then all the lights blinked off—the automatic timer doing its job.
“Did you hear me?” Sherry asked.
“No,” I said. “I think I dozed off. What did you say?”
Her smile widened. “I said, Merry Christmas Charlie.”
I smiled and felt the same warm glow I’d felt in the dream wash over me again, as I thought how lucky I was to have my very own angel.
Written for and posted on Bluebell Books’ Short Story Slam – week 13
ONE MORE THING! It would help me a bunch if you could hit the Facebook icon below and share this post with your friends and family. THANKS!
keiths ramblings said
This is such a charming story that I’ll forgive you for bringing Christmas forward – it’s only a few weeks away anyway! Pure delight.
charlesmashburn said
Thanks, Keith! I appreciate ya lettin me slide!
I appreciate the visit and comments, too!
Morning said
discovering an angel?
how neat, thanks for the beautiful story.
🙂
charlesmashburn said
Thank you for the comment, Morning!
Sherry Mashburn said
How lucky we both are!
charlesmashburn said
AW!
Susie Clevenger said
Beautifully sweet…love Christmas stories
charlesmashburn said
Awesome! I’m glad you enjoyed it, Susie!
kevin routh said
Great story!
charlesmashburn said
Thanks Kevin! I appreciate the visit and comment!
Inside the Mind of Isadora said
The magic of Christmas …. and …
what a gift you got an angel named – Sherry.
Blessings,
Isadora
charlesmashburn said
Yes I did! Thank you, Isadora!
thingy said
I have been in the Christmas mood. What a lovely post.
charlesmashburn said
I’m glad I could assist your mood!
Thanks for the visit and comment!
manicddaily said
Very sweet. You both seem very lucky.
charlesmashburn said
I think we are!
Thank you!
allmyposts said
Wow!!
This is cool!! Never expected someone could make something so good out of the prompt!!
thanks for visiting my blog
Another Author
charlesmashburn said
Thanks! Always nice to get a “wow”!
I’m glad you like the story!
zongrik said
LOL – in my story the girl is magical, in your she facetiously asks if he thinks she is magical.
charlesmashburn said
I think she can be most anything we want her to be!
Thanks for the comments, zongrik!
leah J. Lynn said
what a good short story, wasn’t expecting the ending nor the nature of the angel’s identity.
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, Leah! I appreciate the visit and comments!
Jamie said
That’s really cute, and very well constructed.
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, Jamie!
danroberson said
Well done, Charles. Warm feelings and joy all in one story. You’re blessed to have your own angel.
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, Dan!
And, yes, I am very blessed!
Bupinder Singh said
hey hats off, it was a nice piece of story.
charlesmashburn said
Thank you very much!
heyloworld said
Nice write.I like it.
charlesmashburn said
Thank you for the comment!
Ginny Brannan said
Sometimes we just don’t know know what will strike us and where our muse will take us, we just get inspired and have to write!
I like where your muse took you in this piece. A lovely and sweet take on the picture prompt.
Keep reading to your little Sherry, the time spent and memories made will last a lifetime!
charlesmashburn said
Thanks, Ginny. I seldom know where my muse will take me! In most cases, I just hit the start button and hang on! I love it that way!
The first thing I thought when I saw the prompt for this story was, “Hey, those leaves look like Christmas lights.” Muse said, “I’m on it! Let’s go!”
Ginny Brannan said
Oops, my error this time: meant to say keep reading to your boys, the time you and Sherry spend with them now will be rewarded as they get older!
charlesmashburn said
Ha! I was just about to clarify the Sherry comment! You are still a little bit off; my boys are 41 and 43! We don’t read to them, but they did grow up with the love for reading that we have. Our families on both sides love to read!
Thanks for the visit and comments, Ginny!
Anthony F. Rando said
Great short story!
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, Anthony!
somewhereamelody said
A truly magical story,
Enchanting 🙂
charlesmashburn said
Thank you!
Belva Staples said
I absolutely love this story! There are several messages in it and they’re all wonderful!
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, Belva! You’re the first to mention the messages! I’m glad you like them!
William Leed said
Very nice. I always enjoy your entries.
charlesmashburn said
Thanks, William! I appreciate the kind words!
Elizabeth Hernandez said
What a beautiful story you ahve been blessed to share with us all. I love this story. Made me smile all the way through. Perfect story for a perfect picture even if it is a bit early. lime you I dont like everything two months or more ahead of time. But I think this is perfect.
Blessings
charlesmashburn said
Thank you very much, Elizabeth! I appreciate your visit and comments!
Susie Clevenger said
A story of angels…love it..
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, Susie!
Laurie said
Oh, this is such a beautiful story. I loved it! laurie @ http://dealingwithmyinnercritic.blogspot.com/
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, Laurie! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
The Orange Tree said
you are blessed,
wow.
handsome man with an angel wife.
🙂
charlesmashburn said
Handsome! You must be referring to the duck!
And, yes, I am very blessed.
Thanks for the comments!
mish said
Very smart… original too. Love the magical atmosphere in your tale… it is only 6 weeks to Christmas, after all…
I was stumped by this picture, but managed to come up with something…
http://writer-in-transit.co.za/amusing-encounter/
charlesmashburn said
Thanks,Mish! This one stumped me at first, too, but I kept thinking the vines and leaves loked like Christmas lights, so that’s where it ook me.
e.a.s. demers said
Wonderful little tale 🙂
Was definitely a surprise.. didn’t expect to read a Christmas tale on Halloween— 🙂
Great job, as always 🙂
charlesmashburn said
Thanks! I appreciate the visit and coments!
Usha Dawn said
Aww that was such a sweet one…I loved it…very sweet 🙂
Merry Christmas in advance to you 😉
Cheers!
charlesmashburn said
Thank you! An early Merry Christmas to you, as well!