Eva had three daughters and a son. Their names were Jill, Lyn, Rosemary, and Phil. Each had a special Christmas decoration with their name on it. Each year they hung it on the Christmas tree. Eva had made each decoration herself on each child’s first Christmas.
And now the family had all grown up and the three daughters were married with children of their own. Eva made a special Christmas tree decoration for every grandchild.
But tragedy struck. Phil, her only son, was killed in a war. Christmas came. Eva didn’t know what to do with his Christmas decoration. It’s not that she didn’t want him remembered; she simply didn’t want to make Christmas sad for her three daughters and their children when they called on Christmas Eve. Eva left Phil’s Christmas decoration in the cupboard.
Jill arrived. “Where’s Phil’s decoration?” she asked upon seeing the tree.
Lyn arrived. “Where’s Phil’s decoration?” she asked upon seeing the tree.
Rosemary arrived. “Where’s Phil’s decoration?” she asked upon seeing the tree.
Mother and three daughters hung the decoration in pride of place, and all had a little weep.
Every year since, it’s always been the last decoration to be hung. Always on Christmas Eve. And always accompanied by a little weep.
Awww. I love the turn towards sentiment with this story, Bruce. Sweetly told. *** sniff, sniff ***
Thanks, Susanne. Although “sentimentality” is usually avoided (!) there are families each year who have “to get through their first Christmas without…”
I have a friend who is going through this very thing this Christmas.
How very poignant. Nice story.
Thank you, Keith!
This made me tear up!
Thanks Cindy. I must be a terrible person because I’m always thrilled when a reader “tears up”!!!
Tender
Thanks, Derrick.
So unusual for you Bruce
Thanks Sylvie. I could’ve had the tree fall on them and they all died!!!!
Gosh, you have me tearing up, also. Well done, you.
Thanks, Yvonne. But there’s already enough water in St Mark’s Square without you tearing up!
Hey, you can watch me filling the Piazza right here: https://www.skylinewebcams.com/en/webcam/italia/veneto/venezia/piazza-san-marco.html
Lovely writing. Your sinster side is fantastic, but you get the sensitivity stuff too.
Thanks – deep down I’m a sensitive soul!! 😀
You secret’s safe 😉
You are so right about the “first Christmas without”. People are not sure what they should do, what they are expected to do, and what is appropriate. They just cry and then follow their heart.
Yes – and in the end most “just get on with it”.
Such is life
Perfect, Bruce. A loving story that is all too real for many families.
Thank you, Noelle.