My Perfect Christmas

By Barbara J. Beaston

A couple of empty nesters find themselves helping a woman with two small children. The womans husband left her at Thanksgiving with little money. The couple adopts the family and shares their wealth of friends and their community to help the small family.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Oct 9, 2014
• ISBN: 9781490849621

Barbara J. Beaston

Barbara J. Beaston’s writing was inspired by her maternal grandmother and uncle, who wrote stories of their family history. Barbara started to write in high school and continues to write today. Barbara lives in central Pennsylvania. She plays flute and piccolo with several community bands. She also sings with a community church for their Christmas Cantata each year.

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PROLOGUE

Families of today come in all shapes, sizes, and a variety of changing needs. Some families have two or more parents while others have only one parent. Some families are foster families while others are adopted families. There are even families with special needs children.

This story is about the struggles of a loving couple that became empty nesters for the first time in their lives. The wife retired from her job just a month ago. The couple is having a hard time coping with their missing children which are scattered across the United States.

The wife finds herself helping a single parent with two children. The husband is reluctant at first, but falls in love with the small family. The loving couple decides to take in the single parent, and her children. The couple fine happiness with their new found family. They also help the women to cope with the death of her spouse, and help her with the children. The couple gathers friends, the community, and church members to give the small family a home, furniture, car, job, and babysitters.

It all comes together one evening just a few days before Christmas. Family from afar and friends come together with the Christmas spirit. This Christmas everything falls together for My Perfect Christmas.

CHAPTER 1

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1

The early days of December were always full of light fluffy clouds, snow, and chill. The weather forecast stated that it was to snow later in the day. The chill of the morning could be felt deep in my bones. I had seen winters come and go, but the chill in my bones is always there. We had our first snow in early October. I didn’t have to get up early to go to work because I retired a few weeks ago. It feels good to sleep in. My husband, Donald and I live outside of Bangor, Maine. Don works during the day so the days are all mine. My children are all grown and moved away. This will be the first Christmas without them. I don’t know how I will cope without any of them.

My children are scattered across the United States. My oldest son John age 32, is in the Army, and stationed in Anchorage, Alaska. My next son Daniel age 25, got married in October, and moved to Orlando, Florida. Daniel, and his new wife, Marisa age 24, are working at Disneyworld. My youngest children are twins, a boy Tim, and a girl Tammy age 23. The twins are living separately for the first time in their lives since the summer. Tim lives in Dallas, Texas, teaching elementary school with the Dallas School District. Tammy lives in Seattle, Washington and is working for The Microsoft Corporation as a consultant.

My husband and I are having Christmas by ourselves this year. We both have siblings living far away from Bangor and our parents are long gone. We have decided to stay home. We are having a chicken this year instead of the full turkey meal.

Having the house to ourselves seems strange; it doesn’t put me in the Christmas mood. I did make a few cut-outs and chocolate chip cookies. I miss my co-workers and my children. I would start making cookies the second week in November. This year I started the day after Thanksgiving.

I almost forgot that I had an appointment for 9:00 a.m. to have my hair cut. I arrived for my hair cut about a minute, or two late. I came home after the haircut and puttered around the house cleaning the main floor. I saved the kitchen for last. I planned to work on the upstairs in a few days. I decided to try to clean the basement and garage next week. As I was cleaning in the living room the mailman dropped off the mail and knocked on the door. I went to the door and asked him if he needed a cup of hot coffee. He said, I sure could go for a cup of hot coffee. Can you also fill my thermos? I finished it a few blocks ago. It’s just that cold out today. I gave him the coffee plus some cookies.

After he left I saw a letter from Tim. Tim says his class is full of fourth grade giddy girls. They think he is cute and the other teachers are telling him the information they are hearing from his students in the hall. Tim writes, I have moved into a bigger place. The apartment has two bedrooms. I am also getting better at cooking larger meals. I have a girlfriend, her name is Sandy Miller. She teaches the kindergarten class and she is very beautiful. She has blonde hair with streaks of red highlights. I will be send you pictures of her before Christmas, but I am not going to hold my breath.

I put Tim’s letter back in the envelope for Don to read when he gets home. I noticed a few bills and placed them on Don’s desk. I also saw a few store ads attached to the free newspaper. I thought maybe I should go get a few items tomorrow. I then cleaned Don’s desk. He had a few magazines sitting around. I placed them in the magazine rack near the desk.

I sat down to watch a movie and I fell asleep until the phone rang around 3:00 p.m. It was Don he said he would be home right after work. He wanted me to have dinner ready early. He needs to go through the bills and look up a few things on the internet later. I told him I would have dinner ready within a few minutes of his arrival.

I made a good dinner of fried chicken, mash potatoes, and peas. We both could use to lose a little weight. I love to cook and Don loves to eat. Maybe we will have a few cookies later in the evening.

Don came home from work tired. I told him dinner will be on the table in a minute. He said, Fine, what did you do all day. I told him, I got my hair cut. What else did you wanted for our Christmas dinner other than chicken? I’m making a grocery list for a shopping trip in a few days. I wanted to get a jump start on my Christmas meal. Don said, I am satisfied with whatever you are planning. Maybe this year we can do something like go to a movie. I told him, That was a good idea. I am dying to see the latest chick flick movie opening on Christmas Day.

I told Don that I missed buying things for the kids. I started to remember what it was like when the kids were small. Don said, Quit being silly. I said, It feels strange and I miss them. Don and I watched a little television. I noticed that it started to snow. I like to see the snow, but hated to drive in the slush. Don must have been thinking about missing the kids this Christmas also. Don said, You know the office collects Christmas gifts for unfortunate children and also the Church is doing the same thing. We could spend some of our Christmas money on the under privileged kids. I told Don. It would work, how much can I buy? You know I love to shop. What ages are in the greatest need? Don said, I will get the information tomorrow. I asked Don, Can we help more than one child? Don said, I will check, I know your heart is as big as the sky. If you go shopping for the church get something for most any age. Also pick up several games."

As Don and I went to bed that night. I couldn’t stop thinking about our kid and those unfortunate children that would be without Christmas. I fell asleep, but was restless. I dreamt of children standing in front of a Christmas tree without any presents under the Christmas tree. I then realized they were my own kids only when they were younger. I woke up crying and Don comforted me. I told him of my dream. We went back to sleep holding each other. I slept the rest of the night peacefully.

CHAPTER 2

AM THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2

Don got up quietly and went to work. When I got up a little later, I saw the snow was melting. I decided to go shopping early anyway to look for something for Don for Christmas. While I was there I would look at the toys for the under privileged children. I had no idea what to get Don, but at least thought about looking for that special gift.

I went into my favorite store. As I was looking around I saw a lady having problems with her daughter. A little boy was in a stroller and the little girl was walking beside her mother crying. I stopped the mother and asked her, Why is your little girl crying The lady said, She lost her gloves. I don’t know where there are. I asked the little girl, "Do you remember where you may have lost your gloves? The