Normally it was a very long drive to Gramma’s house and today it took even longer because of the snow. Michele fidgited in the back seat she wanted to eat Thanksgiving dinner right now! “When are we going to get there Mommy,” she whined!

Michele’s Mom turned around to tell her to be patient when all of a sudden the car started to go into a skid on the snow covered road. It seemed as if everything went into slow motion as the car spun around in a circle a couple of times, finally coming to rest in a big snow bank. “Mom, are you OK?” Michele asked. She was frightened because her Mom wasn’t moving, it looked as if she had hit her head on the steering wheel.

Michele tried shaking her Mom to wake her up but it didn’t work. Then she thought, ”Maybe if I get some cold snow from outside and rub it on her face that will wake her.” That didn’t work either, and now Michele was starting to get really scared. Looking around she noticed that they were pretty close to Gramma’s house. She recognized the pond where they had gone ice skating many times before.It would be only about a one mile walk if she cut through the woods.

Michele knew that she had to get help for her Mom because the chances of someone else driving by on this old back road and finding them here were pretty slim. It would take her a while to hike through the snow and make it to Gramma’s house, but she just couldn’t think of anything else to do. Michele put her mittens and scarf on then set out on her journey. She had written a note to her Mom in case she woke up telling her that she was going for help.

The snow was about eight inches deep and came right up to the top of her boots. Sometimes as she took a step the snow would slide down inside her boot and her feet were already getting cold and wet. Michele ran as fast as she could. As she trudged through the deep snow she kept praying that she would be able to get help in time and her Mom would be OK.

Michele thought back to last Thanksgiving when the whole family was together at Gramma’s house. This year would be different because her Dad wouldn’t be there with them. Mom and Dad had been divorced after ten years of marriage. “I just don’t understand how adults think,” Michele said to herself. “When I grow up and get married, I will never get divorced. I know that Mom and Dad were happy when they first got married, but the last few years it seemed like all they did was argue about things. It made me cry every time I would here them screaming at each other. I miss Dad and I wish that he didn’t have to leave.”

It was starting to get dark now and Michele did not want to be out here in the woods at night. She started running faster and faster until she was out of breath. Her sides were aching and she couldn't take another step. Exhausted, Michele fell down in the snow. The cold snow seemed to refresh her and as she looked up she could see Gramma’s house off in the distance. It was a wonderful sight. The house looked so warm and cozy all lit up in the dark. She picked herself up and ran as fast as her waterlogged feet would carry her.

Rushing up to the porch and banging on the front door, Michele was so glad that she had made it here. Gramma came to the door and said, "What on earth is going on, child. Why are you here all alone? Michele, you are soaking wet. Come on in out of the cold and tell me what has happened.”

Michele said, "Gramma, I am so glad to see you. Our car slid off of the road into a ditch over by the ice skating pond and Mommy is hurt. She banged her head on the steering wheel and I couldn’t wake her up!” Gramma pulled Michele close and gave her a big hug and kiss. Then she picked up the phone and called the police and ambulance.

“You are such a brave girl, Michele. It took a lot of courage for you to walk all that way through the woods by yourself. Especially in this snow storm. I am so proud of you. Now, let’s get down there and see how your Mom is,” Gramma said. Before long that old pick-up truck of Gramma’s had arrived at the pond just as the ambulance and police were getting there.

When Michele looked into their car she was happy to see her Mom talking to the ambulance driver. Then she rushed over to hug her Mom and they both began to cry. Her Mom said, "I’m glad you are not hurt, Michele. I’m sorry if I gave you a scare, but I’m OK. Thanks for going to get help, you are the bravest eight year old girl that I know.”

It turned out to be a great Thanksgiving after all. Mom just had a little bump on her head from where she had been knocked unconscious. The car was towed out of the ditch and hardly had any damage, and Michele’s feet finally thawed out after sitting in front of the fireplace at Gramma’s. Michele truly had something to be thankful for this year. As the family sat around the dinner table and prepared to dig into the bountiful feast that lay before them Michele asked if she could say the blessing.

She closed her eyes; and Michele, Gramma and Mom all held hands as she prayed. “Dear Heavenly Father, thank you so much for this wonderful food that you have provided for us. Thank you for the warm fire that thawed my cold feet, and thank you for the cold feet that carried me through the woods to Gramma’s house. I really am glad that Mom wasn’t hurt. I don’t think I could stand it if I lost my Mom. As I was walking through the snow I thought about having lost my Dad because of the divorce and I was sad. Now I realize that sometimes people just don’t get along after awhile and it is better if the relationship ends. Lord I am thankful that our relationship will never end, and we will always get along. I take comfort in knowing that You will be my Father forever.”

The End

I welcome your comments on my stories...feel free to e-mail me: cmmdtp@hotmail.com

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