It's Christmas Morning

* * * * * * *

"Wake up, Mommy! Wake up Daddy! It's Christmas morning!
Wake up you guys!"

"Merry Christmas, Abby."

Abby's mom forced her tired body out of bed and
crept slowly down the cold steps. Why won't he put carpet
on these steps?  Catherine grumbled to herself. As she stepped
off the bottom step, she looked on in awe at Abby and
three empty stockings and a very bare Christmas tree.  Abby's
eyes were full of tears and her little tummy shook with tender sobs.

"Mommy, where are my presents?  I was a good girl this year? 
Where are my presents,Mommy?"  Abby ran to her mother and
wrapped her trembling arms around her.

Catherine knew immediately where Abby's presents were? 
They were still in the attic.  She had taken special care this
year - weeks of shopping and choosing that extra special
something just for Abby.  And now Joseph had ruined everything.
He had ruined the special surprises that should  have been waiting
on Abby when she woke on Christmas morning? 
How could he do this?

"Mommy, doesn't Santa love me anymore?"

"Abby, you know that all gifts come from Jesus not Santa.
He's just the one who brings them to you."

Abby looked at her mom with weepy eyes.  "Then does that mean
Jesus doesn't love me?"

"No, Abby! Now you know that Jesus would never stop loving you.
Don't worry, Abby, I'm sure your presents will be here very soon.
Okay?  Now run up to your room and get dressed.  
I bet they'll be here before you get finished. K? 
Go on.  Don't you worry."

Abby ran upstairs followed by her very angry mother.

"JOSEPH TURNER!"

Abby's father nearly fell out of bed, startled by the
scream at the bedroom door.

"What, what's the matter?  Why are you yelling, Catherine?  
What's wrong?"  Joseph grabbed his robe and
went hastily to see what was happening.

"Joseph, you forgot Abby's presents! You put the presents under
the tree every year. Remember? I always go to bed and
you always bring everything down and  play "Santa".   Abby
just ran down those stairs anticipating a room of Christmas splendor. 
What do you think she found this morning?"

Joseph dropped his head.  He knew he had messed up bad this time.  
He had  forgotten Catherine and Abby's birthday just two
months ago. And now he had forgotten Christmas.  He knew they
would never forgive him. But somehow, he didn't feel the
guilt he should have.   Anger was working into his heart
more quickly than ever these days.

"Catherine, do you expect me to do everything?  You could do your
part around here, too, you know?  You should've reminded me
last night or done it yourself! Why is everything my fault? 
I'm just so sick of you blaming everything wrong in this house on me!  
Nothing would be wrong in this house if you had taken 
better care of Shane!" Joseph knew instantly that he had said
the wrong thing.  The chill of Catherine's expression
covered him like a winter breeze.

"That's it, Joseph!  I've lived for a year now with the pain of
Shane's death and even more with the guilt you've forced on
me.  I know if Shane had been with me he would still be here,
but he isn't! And I can't change that!  And neither can
your cold and insensitive heart! You can't bring Shane back by
treating us this way; by shutting us out. Well that is, until
you're ready to shower us with your cruelty.
He's gone Joseph, he's gone!"  Catherine dressed quickly as she cried
out loud this time.  She couldn't hide her pain any longer. 
He would just have to go on. This time he would have to hear her pain!

Abby was standing outside her parents door when her mother came out.
"I'm sorry, Mommy. I'm sorry Shane is in heaven."

Catherine cradled Abby in her arms, "Abby, don't ever be sorry
that Shane is in heaven. He is so happy there.  We miss him,
but I'm sure that he is so happy to be with Jesus." Catherine's
tears flowed into Abby's soft curls. 
"Abby, get your coat. We're going to walk down to the church."

"So we can talk to Jesus, Mom?  Will Jesus bring me my presents?"

"Sure, honey, we can talk to Jesus. And we'll talk about the presents
later. Okay?" Catherine turned and gave a long hard look at
her husband. "I think it's time you made a decision. You've already
lost a son, do you want to lose you're whole family? 
Or even more, you're soul?"

Catherine's words stung.  He knew she was right.  He had
spent the last year blaming  everyone, especially her for Shane's death. 
And he'd been letting the rest of his family die as well.