Not a joke this time.. a Christmas Eve Story
Posted: Mon Dec 23, 2013 9:54 pm
Christmas Eve, 1881
Pa
> never had much compassion
> For the lazy or those who squandered their means
> And then never had enough for the necessities.
> But for those who were
> genuinely in need,
> His heart was as big as all outdoors.
> It was from him
> that I learned the greatest joy in life
> Comes from giving, not from
> receiving.
>
> It was
> Christmas Eve, 1881.
> I was fifteen years old and feeling like
> The world
> had caved in on me
> Because there just hadn't been enough money
> To buy me
> the rifle that I'd wanted for Christmas.
> We did the chores early that night
> for some reason.
> I just figured Pa wanted a little extra time
> So we
> could read in the Bible.
>
> After
> supper was over I took my boots off
> And stretched out in front of the
> fireplace
> And waited for Pa to get down the old Bible.
>
> I was
> still feeling sorry for myself and, to be honest,
> I wasn't in much of a mood
> to read Scriptures.
>
> But Pa
> didn't get the Bible,
> Instead he bundled up again and went outside.
> I
> couldn't figure it out because
> We had already done all the chores.
> I
> didn't worry about it long though,
> I was too busy wallowing in self-pity.
>
> Soon Pa
> came back in.
> It was a cold clear night out and there was ice in his beard.
>
> "Come
> on, Matt," he said.
> "Bundle up good, it's cold out tonight."
>
> I was
> really upset then.
> Not only wasn't I getting the rifle for Christmas,
> Now Pa was dragging me out in the cold,
> And for no earthly reason that I
> could see.
>
> We'd
> already done all the chores,
> And I couldn't think of anything else that
> needed doing, especially not on a night like this.
> But I knew Pa was not
> very patient at one
> Dragging one's feet when he'd told them to do something,
> So I got up and put my boots back on
> And got my cap, coat, and mittens.
>
> Ma gave
> me a mysterious smile
> As I opened the door to leave the house.
> Something
> was up, but I didn't know what.
>
> Outside,
> I became even more dismayed.
> There in front of the house was the work team,
> Already hitched to the big sled.
> Whatever it was we were going to do
> Wasn't going to be a short, quick, little job. I could tell.
>
> We
> never hitched up this sled unless
> We were going to haul a big load.
>
> Pa was
> already up on the seat, reins in hand.
> I reluctantly climbed up beside him.
> The cold was already biting at me.
> I wasn't happy.
>
> When I
> was on, Pa pulled the sled around the house
> And stopped in front of the
> woodshed.
> He got off and I followed.
>
> "I
> think we'll put on the high sideboards," he said.
> "Here, help me."
>
> The
> high sideboards!
> It had been a bigger job than I wanted to do
> With just
> the low sideboards on, but whatever it was
> We were going to do would be a
> lot bigger
> With the high side boards on.
>
> After
> we had exchanged the sideboards,
> Pa went into the woodshed and came out
> With an armload of wood - the wood...
> I'd spent all summer hauling down
> from the mountain,
> And then all fall sawing into blocks and splitting.
>
> What
> was he doing?
> Finally I said something.
>
> "Pa," I
> asked, "what are you doing?"
> "You been by the Widow Jensen's lately?" he
> asked.
>
> The
> Widow Jensen lived about two miles down the road.
> Her husband had died a
> year or so before
> And left her with three children, the oldest being eight.
> Sure, I'd been by, but so what?
>
> Yeah,"
> I said, "Why?"
>
> "I rode
> by just today," Pa said.
> "Little Jakey was out digging around in the
> woodpile
> Trying to find a few chips. They're out of wood, Matt."
>
> That
> was all he said and then he turned and went back
> Into the woodshed for
> another armload of wood.
> I followed him. We loaded the sled so high
> that
> I began to wonder if the horses would be able to pull it.
>
> Finally,
> Pa called a halt to our loading,
> Then we went to the smoke house
> And Pa
> took down a big ham and a side of bacon.
>
> He
> handed them to me
> And told me to put them in the sled and wait.
> When he
> returned he was carrying a sack of flour
> Over his right shoulder and a
> smaller sack
> Of something in his left hand.
>
> "What's
> in the little sack?" I asked.
>
> Shoes,
> they're out of shoes.
> Little Jakey just had gunny sacks wrapped around his
> feet when he was out in the woodpile this morning.
> I got the children a
> little candy too.
> It just wouldn't be Christmas without a little candy."
>
> We rode
> the two miles to Widow Jensen's
> Pretty much in silence.
>
> I tried
> to think through what Pa was doing.
> We didn't have much by worldly
> standards.
> Of course, we did have a big woodpile,
> Though most of what
> was left now
> Was still in the form of logs
> That I would have to saw into
> blocks
> And split before we could use it.
>
> We also
> had meat and flour,
> So we could spare that,
> But I knew we didn't have
> any money,
> So why was Pa buying them shoes and candy?
>
> Really,
> why was he doing any of this?
> Widow Jensen had closer neighbors than us;
> It shouldn't have been our concern.
>
> We came
> in from the blind side of the Jensen house
> And unloaded the wood as quietly
> as possible,
> Then we took the meat and flour and shoes to the door.
>
> We
> knocked.
> The door opened a crack and a timid voice said,
> "Who is it?"
> "Lucas Miles, Ma'am, and my son, Matt...
> Could we come in for a bit?"
>
> Widow
> Jensen opened the door and let us in.
> She had a blanket wrapped around her
> shoulders.
> The children were wrapped in another and were sitting in front of
> the fireplace by a very small fire
> That hardly gave off any heat at all.
> Widow Jensen fumbled with a match
> And finally lit the lamp.
>
> "We
> brought you a few things, Ma'am," Pa said,
> And set down the sack of flour.
> I put the meat on the table.
> Then Pa handed her the sack that had the
> shoes in it.
> She opened it hesitantly and took the shoes out,
> One pair
> at a time.
>
> There
> was a pair for her and one for each of the children - sturdy shoes, the best...
> shoes that would last.
> I watched her carefully. She bit her lower lip
> To
> keep it from trembling and then tears filled her eyes
> And started running
> down her cheeks.
> She looked up at Pa like she wanted to say something,
> But it wouldn't come out.
>
> "We
> brought a load of wood too, Ma'am," Pa said.
> He turned to me and said,
> "Matt, go bring in enough to last awhile. Let's get that fire up to size and
> heat this place up."
>
> I
> wasn't the same person when I went back out to bring in the wood. I had a big
> lump in my throat and as much as I hate to admit it, there were tears in my eyes
> too. In my mind I kept seeing those three kids huddled around the fireplace and
> their mother standing there with tears running down her cheeks with so much
> gratitude in her heart that she couldn't speak. My heart swelled within me and a
> joy that I'd never known before, filled my soul.
>
> I had
> given at Christmas many times before,
> But never when it had made so much
> difference.
> I could see we were literally saving the lives of these people.
>
> I soon
> had the fire blazing and everyone's spirits soared.
>
> The
> kids started giggling when Pa handed them
> Each a piece of candy and Widow
> Jensen looked on
> With a smile that probably hadn't crossed her face
> For
> a long time.
>
> She
> finally turned to us. "God bless you," she said.
> "I know the Lord has sent
> you.
> The children and I have been praying
> That he would send one of his
> angels to spare us."
>
> In
> spite of myself...
> The lump returned to my throat
> And the tears welled
> up in my eyes again.
>
> I'd
> never thought of Pa in those exact terms before,
> But after Widow Jensen
> mentioned it,
> I could see that it was probably true.
> I was sure that a
> better man than Pa
> Had never walked the earth.
> I started remembering all
> the times
> He had gone out of his way for Ma and me,
> And many others...
> The list seemed endless as I thought on it.
>
> Pa
> insisted that everyone try on the shoes before we left.
> I was amazed when
> they all fit,
> And I wondered how he had known what sizes to get.
> Then I
> guessed that if he was on an errand for the Lord,
> That the Lord would make
> sure he got the right sizes.
>
> Tears
> were running down Widow Jensen's face again
> When we stood up to leave.
> Pa took each of the kids in his big arms and gave them a hug. They clung to
> him and didn't want us to go.
> I could see that they missed their Pa,
> And
> I was glad that I still had mine.
>
> At the
> door Pa turned to Widow Jensen and said,
> "The Mrs. wanted me to invite you
> and the children over for Christmas dinner tomorrow. The turkey will be
> more than the three of us can eat, and a man can get cantankerous if he has to
> eat turkey for too many meals.
> We'll be by to get you about eleven.
> It'll be nice to have some little ones around again.
> Matt, here, hasn't
> been little for quite a spell."
>
> I was
> the youngest... my two brothers and two sisters
> Had all married and had
> moved away.
>
> Widow
> Jensen nodded and said,
> "Thank you, Brother Miles.
> I don't have to say,
> may the Lord bless you,
> I know for certain that He will."
>
> Out on
> the sled I felt a warmth that came from deep within and I didn't even notice the
> cold.
>
> When we
> had gone a ways,
> Pa turned to me and said,
> "Matt, I want you to know
> something.
> Your Ma and me have been tucking a little money away
> Here and
> there all year so we could buy that rifle for you,
> But we didn't have quite
> enough.
> Then yesterday a man who owed me a little money
> From years back
> came by to make things square.
> Your Ma and me were real excited,
> Thinking that now we could get you that rifle,
> And I started into town
> this morning to do just that,
> But on the way I saw little Jakey out
> scratching in the woodpile with his feet wrapped in those gunny sacks
> And I
> knew what I had to do."
>
> "Son, I
> spent the money for shoes
> And a little candy for those children.
> I hope
> you understand."
>
> I
> understood all right...
> And my eyes became wet with tears again.
> I
> understood very well,
> And I was so glad Pa had done it.
> Now the rifle
> seemed very low on my list of priorities.
> Pa had given me a lot more.
> He
> had given me the look on Widow Jensen's face
> And the radiant smiles of her
> three children.
>
> For the
> rest of my life,
> Whenever I saw any of the Jensens,
> Or split a block of
> wood,
> I remembered, and remembering brought back
> That same joy I felt
> riding home beside Pa that night.
>
> Pa had
> given me much more
> Than a rifle that night,
> He had given me the best
> Christmas
> Of my life.
>
> Don't
> be too busy today...
> Share this inspiring message.
>
> Merry
> Christmas and God bless you!
Pa
> never had much compassion
> For the lazy or those who squandered their means
> And then never had enough for the necessities.
> But for those who were
> genuinely in need,
> His heart was as big as all outdoors.
> It was from him
> that I learned the greatest joy in life
> Comes from giving, not from
> receiving.
>
> It was
> Christmas Eve, 1881.
> I was fifteen years old and feeling like
> The world
> had caved in on me
> Because there just hadn't been enough money
> To buy me
> the rifle that I'd wanted for Christmas.
> We did the chores early that night
> for some reason.
> I just figured Pa wanted a little extra time
> So we
> could read in the Bible.
>
> After
> supper was over I took my boots off
> And stretched out in front of the
> fireplace
> And waited for Pa to get down the old Bible.
>
> I was
> still feeling sorry for myself and, to be honest,
> I wasn't in much of a mood
> to read Scriptures.
>
> But Pa
> didn't get the Bible,
> Instead he bundled up again and went outside.
> I
> couldn't figure it out because
> We had already done all the chores.
> I
> didn't worry about it long though,
> I was too busy wallowing in self-pity.
>
> Soon Pa
> came back in.
> It was a cold clear night out and there was ice in his beard.
>
> "Come
> on, Matt," he said.
> "Bundle up good, it's cold out tonight."
>
> I was
> really upset then.
> Not only wasn't I getting the rifle for Christmas,
> Now Pa was dragging me out in the cold,
> And for no earthly reason that I
> could see.
>
> We'd
> already done all the chores,
> And I couldn't think of anything else that
> needed doing, especially not on a night like this.
> But I knew Pa was not
> very patient at one
> Dragging one's feet when he'd told them to do something,
> So I got up and put my boots back on
> And got my cap, coat, and mittens.
>
> Ma gave
> me a mysterious smile
> As I opened the door to leave the house.
> Something
> was up, but I didn't know what.
>
> Outside,
> I became even more dismayed.
> There in front of the house was the work team,
> Already hitched to the big sled.
> Whatever it was we were going to do
> Wasn't going to be a short, quick, little job. I could tell.
>
> We
> never hitched up this sled unless
> We were going to haul a big load.
>
> Pa was
> already up on the seat, reins in hand.
> I reluctantly climbed up beside him.
> The cold was already biting at me.
> I wasn't happy.
>
> When I
> was on, Pa pulled the sled around the house
> And stopped in front of the
> woodshed.
> He got off and I followed.
>
> "I
> think we'll put on the high sideboards," he said.
> "Here, help me."
>
> The
> high sideboards!
> It had been a bigger job than I wanted to do
> With just
> the low sideboards on, but whatever it was
> We were going to do would be a
> lot bigger
> With the high side boards on.
>
> After
> we had exchanged the sideboards,
> Pa went into the woodshed and came out
> With an armload of wood - the wood...
> I'd spent all summer hauling down
> from the mountain,
> And then all fall sawing into blocks and splitting.
>
> What
> was he doing?
> Finally I said something.
>
> "Pa," I
> asked, "what are you doing?"
> "You been by the Widow Jensen's lately?" he
> asked.
>
> The
> Widow Jensen lived about two miles down the road.
> Her husband had died a
> year or so before
> And left her with three children, the oldest being eight.
> Sure, I'd been by, but so what?
>
> Yeah,"
> I said, "Why?"
>
> "I rode
> by just today," Pa said.
> "Little Jakey was out digging around in the
> woodpile
> Trying to find a few chips. They're out of wood, Matt."
>
> That
> was all he said and then he turned and went back
> Into the woodshed for
> another armload of wood.
> I followed him. We loaded the sled so high
> that
> I began to wonder if the horses would be able to pull it.
>
> Finally,
> Pa called a halt to our loading,
> Then we went to the smoke house
> And Pa
> took down a big ham and a side of bacon.
>
> He
> handed them to me
> And told me to put them in the sled and wait.
> When he
> returned he was carrying a sack of flour
> Over his right shoulder and a
> smaller sack
> Of something in his left hand.
>
> "What's
> in the little sack?" I asked.
>
> Shoes,
> they're out of shoes.
> Little Jakey just had gunny sacks wrapped around his
> feet when he was out in the woodpile this morning.
> I got the children a
> little candy too.
> It just wouldn't be Christmas without a little candy."
>
> We rode
> the two miles to Widow Jensen's
> Pretty much in silence.
>
> I tried
> to think through what Pa was doing.
> We didn't have much by worldly
> standards.
> Of course, we did have a big woodpile,
> Though most of what
> was left now
> Was still in the form of logs
> That I would have to saw into
> blocks
> And split before we could use it.
>
> We also
> had meat and flour,
> So we could spare that,
> But I knew we didn't have
> any money,
> So why was Pa buying them shoes and candy?
>
> Really,
> why was he doing any of this?
> Widow Jensen had closer neighbors than us;
> It shouldn't have been our concern.
>
> We came
> in from the blind side of the Jensen house
> And unloaded the wood as quietly
> as possible,
> Then we took the meat and flour and shoes to the door.
>
> We
> knocked.
> The door opened a crack and a timid voice said,
> "Who is it?"
> "Lucas Miles, Ma'am, and my son, Matt...
> Could we come in for a bit?"
>
> Widow
> Jensen opened the door and let us in.
> She had a blanket wrapped around her
> shoulders.
> The children were wrapped in another and were sitting in front of
> the fireplace by a very small fire
> That hardly gave off any heat at all.
> Widow Jensen fumbled with a match
> And finally lit the lamp.
>
> "We
> brought you a few things, Ma'am," Pa said,
> And set down the sack of flour.
> I put the meat on the table.
> Then Pa handed her the sack that had the
> shoes in it.
> She opened it hesitantly and took the shoes out,
> One pair
> at a time.
>
> There
> was a pair for her and one for each of the children - sturdy shoes, the best...
> shoes that would last.
> I watched her carefully. She bit her lower lip
> To
> keep it from trembling and then tears filled her eyes
> And started running
> down her cheeks.
> She looked up at Pa like she wanted to say something,
> But it wouldn't come out.
>
> "We
> brought a load of wood too, Ma'am," Pa said.
> He turned to me and said,
> "Matt, go bring in enough to last awhile. Let's get that fire up to size and
> heat this place up."
>
> I
> wasn't the same person when I went back out to bring in the wood. I had a big
> lump in my throat and as much as I hate to admit it, there were tears in my eyes
> too. In my mind I kept seeing those three kids huddled around the fireplace and
> their mother standing there with tears running down her cheeks with so much
> gratitude in her heart that she couldn't speak. My heart swelled within me and a
> joy that I'd never known before, filled my soul.
>
> I had
> given at Christmas many times before,
> But never when it had made so much
> difference.
> I could see we were literally saving the lives of these people.
>
> I soon
> had the fire blazing and everyone's spirits soared.
>
> The
> kids started giggling when Pa handed them
> Each a piece of candy and Widow
> Jensen looked on
> With a smile that probably hadn't crossed her face
> For
> a long time.
>
> She
> finally turned to us. "God bless you," she said.
> "I know the Lord has sent
> you.
> The children and I have been praying
> That he would send one of his
> angels to spare us."
>
> In
> spite of myself...
> The lump returned to my throat
> And the tears welled
> up in my eyes again.
>
> I'd
> never thought of Pa in those exact terms before,
> But after Widow Jensen
> mentioned it,
> I could see that it was probably true.
> I was sure that a
> better man than Pa
> Had never walked the earth.
> I started remembering all
> the times
> He had gone out of his way for Ma and me,
> And many others...
> The list seemed endless as I thought on it.
>
> Pa
> insisted that everyone try on the shoes before we left.
> I was amazed when
> they all fit,
> And I wondered how he had known what sizes to get.
> Then I
> guessed that if he was on an errand for the Lord,
> That the Lord would make
> sure he got the right sizes.
>
> Tears
> were running down Widow Jensen's face again
> When we stood up to leave.
> Pa took each of the kids in his big arms and gave them a hug. They clung to
> him and didn't want us to go.
> I could see that they missed their Pa,
> And
> I was glad that I still had mine.
>
> At the
> door Pa turned to Widow Jensen and said,
> "The Mrs. wanted me to invite you
> and the children over for Christmas dinner tomorrow. The turkey will be
> more than the three of us can eat, and a man can get cantankerous if he has to
> eat turkey for too many meals.
> We'll be by to get you about eleven.
> It'll be nice to have some little ones around again.
> Matt, here, hasn't
> been little for quite a spell."
>
> I was
> the youngest... my two brothers and two sisters
> Had all married and had
> moved away.
>
> Widow
> Jensen nodded and said,
> "Thank you, Brother Miles.
> I don't have to say,
> may the Lord bless you,
> I know for certain that He will."
>
> Out on
> the sled I felt a warmth that came from deep within and I didn't even notice the
> cold.
>
> When we
> had gone a ways,
> Pa turned to me and said,
> "Matt, I want you to know
> something.
> Your Ma and me have been tucking a little money away
> Here and
> there all year so we could buy that rifle for you,
> But we didn't have quite
> enough.
> Then yesterday a man who owed me a little money
> From years back
> came by to make things square.
> Your Ma and me were real excited,
> Thinking that now we could get you that rifle,
> And I started into town
> this morning to do just that,
> But on the way I saw little Jakey out
> scratching in the woodpile with his feet wrapped in those gunny sacks
> And I
> knew what I had to do."
>
> "Son, I
> spent the money for shoes
> And a little candy for those children.
> I hope
> you understand."
>
> I
> understood all right...
> And my eyes became wet with tears again.
> I
> understood very well,
> And I was so glad Pa had done it.
> Now the rifle
> seemed very low on my list of priorities.
> Pa had given me a lot more.
> He
> had given me the look on Widow Jensen's face
> And the radiant smiles of her
> three children.
>
> For the
> rest of my life,
> Whenever I saw any of the Jensens,
> Or split a block of
> wood,
> I remembered, and remembering brought back
> That same joy I felt
> riding home beside Pa that night.
>
> Pa had
> given me much more
> Than a rifle that night,
> He had given me the best
> Christmas
> Of my life.
>
> Don't
> be too busy today...
> Share this inspiring message.
>
> Merry
> Christmas and God bless you!