Post by janicemarie on Dec 7, 2005 21:04:20 GMT -5
Miracles Do Happen
By Janice Marie
I don't know what I will be able to do for Christmas this year. I have
been trying so hard just to make ends meet. I had to move from that
nice uptown apartment into this drafty and rundown rooming house
because I lost my job last week. Downsizing they told me. No warning no
two week notice and worst of all no Christmas bonus. They would have to
do this just before Christmas.
What will I tell the kids when I get home? They are so unhappy now
that we have had to move and leave all their friends behind. If Jim
would have lived this would not have happened to them. Who would think
that a man in the prime of his life would be hit by a car and die from
the injuries.
We were so young and dumb. Thought we were invincible. He said that
we could wait before we got insurance, that he wasn't going anywhere. I
had to borrow money from my family to bury him and then try to find a
job after being out of work for the last ten years. Ten years and two
children to take care of and no money in the bank and a loan to pay
back so that Jim could have a decent funeral.
I tried everywhere to apply for work. They all told me the same thing.
You have been out of work a long time and there are so many applicants
to choose from. College graduates with degrees that were applying for
the same jobs that I was. Didn't experience mean anything anymore? I
had been an officer manager for 6 years before I got married and Jim
wanted me to quit and start a family. I really didn't want to leave my
job but he insisted and he had a good job, so money was not a problem.
Those ten years were the happiest of my life. My son Eric was born and
then two years later Mary. Two angels sent to us to love. God, we were
such a perfect family. Just like you see on the tv. The Nelsons all
over again. The kids went to school in the neighborhood and made
friends and I joined the PTA and a few other groups too. Civic groups
that helped older people by taking them shopping and to the doctors if
they needed a ride. I never learned to drive because Jim took me if I
wanted to go anywhere. Now I wish I had learned.
Well I did get a job at a local supermarket as a office worker and I
did the accounting and any ordering and scheduling that needed to be
done. I was grateful for the job but it still didn't pay the bills, so
I took another one working in a diner just down the street from the
rooming house. Thank goodness that the lady that owns the house is so
kind and will listen for my kids while I work at night. I hate leaving
them alone to go to the diner at night but it is the only job I could
get and I have only enough time to get home, feed them and get them
ready for bed before I have to leave again. They look so sad now that
things are not like before. There is no daddy coming home and playing
with them anymore.
I want to stop and see if I can get a small tree for our rooms. I
can't afford much but I will try to get the best one I can. On the
corner of the street is a vendor and it is Christmas Eve. I will see if
he can give me something that doesn't cost a lot of money. I haven't
gotten anything for the kids yet either and I don't know what I will be
able to find this late at night. Just my luck I had to work over time.
The man was very kind. He gave me the small tree and said that I
didn't have to pay for it as he didn't expect to sell that one. It was
crooked and some of its branches were missing but I was grateful to get
this little tree. It would make my kids so happy to see it when I
brought it home.
They were waiting for me when I brought home that tree. My landlady
had popped some popcorn and had the kids string it on thread. She had
dyed some of it green and some was red. When the kids put it on the
tree it really looked good. How hard they had been working while I was
gone. They had made ornaments from paper and crayons that my landlady
had given to them and then she taught them how to glue glitter on them
and make them all look different and bright. I just sat on the chair
and watched these two angels as they decorated the tree and sang
Christmas songs with my landlady singing right along. I don't think I
have ever seen such simple harmony. Two children and a little old lady
trimming a Christmas tree and singing so happily. I could feel the
tears forming in m y eyes. I knew that in the morning there would be no
special Christmas surprise. I didn't have enough money to buy the kids
a gift each. I had hoped to at least get them each one to open in the
morning but with buying some food and paying off some debts, I had
nothing left. Only a few dollars and that wouldn't go far.
There were no lights for the tree but it looked so pretty anyway. All
that love that the kids had put into those ornaments made it shine and
glitter . They stood back and admired their job and I told them it was
well done.
My son went into the small kitchen and got some cookies and a
half-glass of milk and brought it and set it down by the tree for Santa
to see. I felt a lump form in my throat because I knew he would not get
anything from Santa in that note that he wrote. Mary smiled and ran up
to me for a kiss goodnight and Eric did too. Then it was off to bed and
my landlady left to go to bed. I sat there and I cried and cried. What
would I tell these two angels when they woke up in the morning and saw
no special Christmas surprise.
I undressed and went to bed. I don't think I have ever been so sad
since my Jim passed. What their little eyes would see when they woke up
in the morning would be nothing under the Christmas tree. How I dreaded
that scene.
It took me a long time to fall to sleep but weariness did overcome me
and I drifted off and did sleep soundly. But in my sleep I had a
beautiful dream. I saw an angel come into my room and spread its
beautiful wings. She smiled at me and though she didn't talk, I could
hear her words just as if she had.
"You have been praying so hard and trying to be a good mom to these
kids, that I have been sent to make your Christmas special."
I tossed and turned and still I dreamt on. This had to be a dream.
There are no angels that come down and make Christmas miracles for such
as me.
"Now", She said, you are wrong. I have been sent to bring Jim to you
and he is here too." " I woke up and with a start and sweat was pouring
down my shirt as I looked around the room. There was no one there. It
had all been a dream. I was so longing for my husband that I had dreamt
he had come back again. I laid down with tears running from my eyes and
laid there and just cried. Sleep again came over me and my dream
returned. But there was no angel now . My sweet Jim was there standing
by my bed and he kissed me on my forehead. I could really feel that
sweet kiss from his lips. It was as if a peace came over me and in my
heart I knew he was there. He whispered to me not to fret that he had
taken care of all the wishes that the kids had made. I didn't
understand but I listened carefully as he whispered to me and the joy
in my heart I can never tell how it felt. I could feel a warmth coming
over me as once more he kissed my forehead and told me that he was
always near and that things would be better this year. Somehow I knew .
I really knew that what he said was true. I don't know why and I can't
explain how I felt to you. All I know is that I was at peace and fell
into a deep sleep.
In the morning the kids came and jumped on my bed all excited because
it was Christmas day. The look in their eyes was one of expectancy and
happiness. This was the scene I had dreaded for some time. The tree
would be there but nothing under it for my kids to open. They excitedly
pulled me out of bed and running we went into the other room and they
yelled and ran up to the tree. I had to sit down because I was in shock
at what I saw there.
Last night that tree had been bare underneath. Now it had brightly
wrapped packages and there were some for them and some for me. We sat
down and each of us opened them one by one. Mary got her doll that she
had asked for and Eric was so happy to get his game. I was so happy for
them that I hadn't opened mine yet.
My hands trembled as I started to unwrap my gift and took off the lid
of the silver box. Inside was a beautiful angel pin and inscribed on it
were the words. "Love lives forever in our hearts."
What I thought was a dream must have been real and those sweet kisses
on my forehead I would forever feel for the rest of my life. For even
in death God had sent an angel to bring my Jim back to me. Just to let
me know that he was in heaven and watching over us. Where the gifts
came from I had no doubt. Somehow Jim had managed to get them to my
kids and me.
Just then I heard a knock on my door and when I opened it all the
other tenants were there all wishing us a happy Christmas and each had
something in their hands to bring in to share. There were cookies and
thermoses of hot chocolat and some French toast and a covered pan with
eggs and ham. We put all the food down on the table and we all of us
sat down to eat. Laughing and sing ing Christmas songs.
Two days after Christmas I got a call from one of the firms I had
applied for a job at and they told me that they liked my experience and
would I like to come in and take over the job of office manager. I was
so thrilled because it was a great paying job and I wouldn't have to
work in the diner and could be home with my kids and eventually when I
had saved some money I would move back into the old neighborhood and my
kids could go back to their old school and have their friends back
again.
That night as I laid down to sleep, I thanked the Lord for his
blessings that he gave to me and my kids that holy Christmas night. I
will treasure my "dream" for the rest of my life. Thank you Jesus for
showing me that their really are angels and they are watching over us.
By Janice Marie
I don't know what I will be able to do for Christmas this year. I have
been trying so hard just to make ends meet. I had to move from that
nice uptown apartment into this drafty and rundown rooming house
because I lost my job last week. Downsizing they told me. No warning no
two week notice and worst of all no Christmas bonus. They would have to
do this just before Christmas.
What will I tell the kids when I get home? They are so unhappy now
that we have had to move and leave all their friends behind. If Jim
would have lived this would not have happened to them. Who would think
that a man in the prime of his life would be hit by a car and die from
the injuries.
We were so young and dumb. Thought we were invincible. He said that
we could wait before we got insurance, that he wasn't going anywhere. I
had to borrow money from my family to bury him and then try to find a
job after being out of work for the last ten years. Ten years and two
children to take care of and no money in the bank and a loan to pay
back so that Jim could have a decent funeral.
I tried everywhere to apply for work. They all told me the same thing.
You have been out of work a long time and there are so many applicants
to choose from. College graduates with degrees that were applying for
the same jobs that I was. Didn't experience mean anything anymore? I
had been an officer manager for 6 years before I got married and Jim
wanted me to quit and start a family. I really didn't want to leave my
job but he insisted and he had a good job, so money was not a problem.
Those ten years were the happiest of my life. My son Eric was born and
then two years later Mary. Two angels sent to us to love. God, we were
such a perfect family. Just like you see on the tv. The Nelsons all
over again. The kids went to school in the neighborhood and made
friends and I joined the PTA and a few other groups too. Civic groups
that helped older people by taking them shopping and to the doctors if
they needed a ride. I never learned to drive because Jim took me if I
wanted to go anywhere. Now I wish I had learned.
Well I did get a job at a local supermarket as a office worker and I
did the accounting and any ordering and scheduling that needed to be
done. I was grateful for the job but it still didn't pay the bills, so
I took another one working in a diner just down the street from the
rooming house. Thank goodness that the lady that owns the house is so
kind and will listen for my kids while I work at night. I hate leaving
them alone to go to the diner at night but it is the only job I could
get and I have only enough time to get home, feed them and get them
ready for bed before I have to leave again. They look so sad now that
things are not like before. There is no daddy coming home and playing
with them anymore.
I want to stop and see if I can get a small tree for our rooms. I
can't afford much but I will try to get the best one I can. On the
corner of the street is a vendor and it is Christmas Eve. I will see if
he can give me something that doesn't cost a lot of money. I haven't
gotten anything for the kids yet either and I don't know what I will be
able to find this late at night. Just my luck I had to work over time.
The man was very kind. He gave me the small tree and said that I
didn't have to pay for it as he didn't expect to sell that one. It was
crooked and some of its branches were missing but I was grateful to get
this little tree. It would make my kids so happy to see it when I
brought it home.
They were waiting for me when I brought home that tree. My landlady
had popped some popcorn and had the kids string it on thread. She had
dyed some of it green and some was red. When the kids put it on the
tree it really looked good. How hard they had been working while I was
gone. They had made ornaments from paper and crayons that my landlady
had given to them and then she taught them how to glue glitter on them
and make them all look different and bright. I just sat on the chair
and watched these two angels as they decorated the tree and sang
Christmas songs with my landlady singing right along. I don't think I
have ever seen such simple harmony. Two children and a little old lady
trimming a Christmas tree and singing so happily. I could feel the
tears forming in m y eyes. I knew that in the morning there would be no
special Christmas surprise. I didn't have enough money to buy the kids
a gift each. I had hoped to at least get them each one to open in the
morning but with buying some food and paying off some debts, I had
nothing left. Only a few dollars and that wouldn't go far.
There were no lights for the tree but it looked so pretty anyway. All
that love that the kids had put into those ornaments made it shine and
glitter . They stood back and admired their job and I told them it was
well done.
My son went into the small kitchen and got some cookies and a
half-glass of milk and brought it and set it down by the tree for Santa
to see. I felt a lump form in my throat because I knew he would not get
anything from Santa in that note that he wrote. Mary smiled and ran up
to me for a kiss goodnight and Eric did too. Then it was off to bed and
my landlady left to go to bed. I sat there and I cried and cried. What
would I tell these two angels when they woke up in the morning and saw
no special Christmas surprise.
I undressed and went to bed. I don't think I have ever been so sad
since my Jim passed. What their little eyes would see when they woke up
in the morning would be nothing under the Christmas tree. How I dreaded
that scene.
It took me a long time to fall to sleep but weariness did overcome me
and I drifted off and did sleep soundly. But in my sleep I had a
beautiful dream. I saw an angel come into my room and spread its
beautiful wings. She smiled at me and though she didn't talk, I could
hear her words just as if she had.
"You have been praying so hard and trying to be a good mom to these
kids, that I have been sent to make your Christmas special."
I tossed and turned and still I dreamt on. This had to be a dream.
There are no angels that come down and make Christmas miracles for such
as me.
"Now", She said, you are wrong. I have been sent to bring Jim to you
and he is here too." " I woke up and with a start and sweat was pouring
down my shirt as I looked around the room. There was no one there. It
had all been a dream. I was so longing for my husband that I had dreamt
he had come back again. I laid down with tears running from my eyes and
laid there and just cried. Sleep again came over me and my dream
returned. But there was no angel now . My sweet Jim was there standing
by my bed and he kissed me on my forehead. I could really feel that
sweet kiss from his lips. It was as if a peace came over me and in my
heart I knew he was there. He whispered to me not to fret that he had
taken care of all the wishes that the kids had made. I didn't
understand but I listened carefully as he whispered to me and the joy
in my heart I can never tell how it felt. I could feel a warmth coming
over me as once more he kissed my forehead and told me that he was
always near and that things would be better this year. Somehow I knew .
I really knew that what he said was true. I don't know why and I can't
explain how I felt to you. All I know is that I was at peace and fell
into a deep sleep.
In the morning the kids came and jumped on my bed all excited because
it was Christmas day. The look in their eyes was one of expectancy and
happiness. This was the scene I had dreaded for some time. The tree
would be there but nothing under it for my kids to open. They excitedly
pulled me out of bed and running we went into the other room and they
yelled and ran up to the tree. I had to sit down because I was in shock
at what I saw there.
Last night that tree had been bare underneath. Now it had brightly
wrapped packages and there were some for them and some for me. We sat
down and each of us opened them one by one. Mary got her doll that she
had asked for and Eric was so happy to get his game. I was so happy for
them that I hadn't opened mine yet.
My hands trembled as I started to unwrap my gift and took off the lid
of the silver box. Inside was a beautiful angel pin and inscribed on it
were the words. "Love lives forever in our hearts."
What I thought was a dream must have been real and those sweet kisses
on my forehead I would forever feel for the rest of my life. For even
in death God had sent an angel to bring my Jim back to me. Just to let
me know that he was in heaven and watching over us. Where the gifts
came from I had no doubt. Somehow Jim had managed to get them to my
kids and me.
Just then I heard a knock on my door and when I opened it all the
other tenants were there all wishing us a happy Christmas and each had
something in their hands to bring in to share. There were cookies and
thermoses of hot chocolat and some French toast and a covered pan with
eggs and ham. We put all the food down on the table and we all of us
sat down to eat. Laughing and sing ing Christmas songs.
Two days after Christmas I got a call from one of the firms I had
applied for a job at and they told me that they liked my experience and
would I like to come in and take over the job of office manager. I was
so thrilled because it was a great paying job and I wouldn't have to
work in the diner and could be home with my kids and eventually when I
had saved some money I would move back into the old neighborhood and my
kids could go back to their old school and have their friends back
again.
That night as I laid down to sleep, I thanked the Lord for his
blessings that he gave to me and my kids that holy Christmas night. I
will treasure my "dream" for the rest of my life. Thank you Jesus for
showing me that their really are angels and they are watching over us.
and commenting. 
and 
all
time for me 
echoes, hope you all are doing well 
