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    #31
    Just a short one!

    Holly's Christmas

    Christmas was just another day for Holly. Despite her name she had never known any joy at Christmastime. This Christmas Day was no different. She ate her breakfast, and wandered out for a walk. The day was bright and the light covering of snow shone crisply in the sunshine.

    Ahead she saw two of her friends, Jack and Sam. Out with their family. She noticed that they each wore a new warm coat. They will be cosy in those, thought Holly. As they reached the park, the boys raced ahead, playing with the ball, another Christmas gift no doubt.
    Holly had no gifts, but she had never had any, so she didn't miss them and certainly didn't resent anyone else lucky enough to have some.

    She walked a little further and there was her friend Betsy, with the beautiful long hair. Betsy was wearing something new and sparkly, which must have been a Christmas present that she wanted to show off. The friends greeted each other, and watched the world go by for a while.

    Then Betsy skipped off home, hoping that some turkey would be coming her way sooner rather than later! Holly walked a little further, looking at the brightly lit houses with beautifully decorated Christmas trees. Happy families filled most of those homes. It was beginning to get dark so Holly turned around. Passing Betsy's house she saw her relaxing on the padded windowseat, playing with one of her new toys.
    As she passed Jack and Sams house she could hear their excitement, as Christmas dinner was being served.

    There was no Christmas dinner at Hollys house. Her family were away for Christmas, as always. They saw she was looked after in their absence, but they never even said goodbye to her, let alone left any presents!
    She knew dinner wouldn't be delivered for some time, so she bypassed her own house and walked across the fields. There she came to a small house set a little apart from the neighbouring ones. Something drew her to this house, and she walked into the front garden. Jumping up she could see through the window. A tidy room, a small sparkling Christmas tree, an inviting log fire in the grate. In an armchair sat a lady reading a book. Holly thought she looked kind, and lonely. Across the room she spotted a table set for one.

    The lady stood and crossed the room to close the curtains against the growing darkness. As Holly was about to run away, the lady spotted something, peered through the window and smiled when she was her.
    The front door slowly opened and the lady, around five feet tall, and 70 years of age, with a lovely smile, came out. 'Hello darling!' she said. 'It's so cold out here now, you should be at home'. Holly just looked at her, and didn't move. 'Well, would you like to come in for a while to warm up?' Holly didn't need to be asked again. She dashed into the house. Mmmm, it smelled lovely, roast chicken maybe, and a sweet smell, like mince pies.
    Holly followed the lady into the living room. She sat down, and the two looked at each other. 'I will be having my Christmas dinner in while' she said. 'It would be so nice to have company, would you care to join me?'

    After a lovely meal, and the washing up done, the lady settled back into her armchair in front of the fire, with a small sherry. On her lap Holly purred stretched and looked up adoringly at the lady.
    So this was Christmas! Holly didn't think she would bother crossing back over those fields in any hurry!









    “A grandchild fills a space in your heart that you never knew was empty.” – Unknown

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      #32
      Love all the stories and poems. Some very talented members here.
      Sometimes I forget to like posts,but that doesn't mean I don't like them.

      Comment


        #33
        Gem - My characters change names sometimes, too. I try and remember to edit properly, but it doesn't always happen.

        I'm glad little Holly not only had a good christmas, but also found a loving new home. Lovely storey.
        "Joy is what happens to us when we allow ourselves to recognise how good things really are. "

        (Marianne Williamson)

        Comment


          #34
          Cheating slightly, as I wrote this last year and posted it, but I copied and pasted it into this section too, as it is a Christmas story


          The Christmas Wish
          Every Christmas, for as long as she could remember Sarah had wished for one thing. It was such a special thing she never ever mentioned it. No one but Father Christmas knew what Sarah's wish was.
          She was a very lucky little girl. Her parents and all her grandparents adored her. She had wonderful toys, beautiful clothes, lots of friends. She was always taken on lovely holidays. She was a happy child. But still she wished for that one gift ,each Christmas.

          She got lovely presents each year, and so many of them. But so far never the one she secretly asked Santa for.
          Just after Christmas Sarah would be 9 years old. As she had been asking Father Christmas for the gift since she was 3, she sadly came to the conclusion that she would never get it.
          Mummy and Daddy always told her that Santa did his best, but that no child gets everything they asked for. In fact they told her that the children who had the shortest lists, got the most surprises!
          Sarah's list was always short, and she did indeed get lots of surprises. She knew she was lucky, but couldn't help feeling a little sad on Christmas morning, when it seemed that once again her main present would be absent.
          'Happy Christmas, darling' smiled her mum hugging her daughter. Look at all these presents under the tree for you! Sarah smiled at her parents and settled down excitedly to open her presents.There were so many colourful parcels! She had books, clothes CDs and DVDs, paints, craft sets, heely trainers, chocolate santas - all sorts of wonderful things. It took a long time to open them all and admire everything.

          Then her mother drew Sarahs attention to an envelope hanging on the tree. Another present! It was decorated with holly and reindeers, and in beautiful writing was written.

          'To Sarah,
          A very merry Christmas
          From Father Christmas'

          Sarah looked at her Mum wondering what it could be. Sometimes she had been given tickets to a show as a present, so she wondered if that could be what the envelope contained, and what the show would be!
          Sarah carefully opened the envelope, she didn't want to tear the tickets. Something fluttered out and landed on Sarah's knee. She picked it up, and she could hardly believe her eyes. She looked up at her parents her eyes shining.
          Sarah flew into her mothers arms, the scan photo dropping to the floor. 'That's right Sarah', said her Mum happily. 'Your wish has finally come true. That is the first photo of your baby sister!'

          “A grandchild fills a space in your heart that you never knew was empty.” – Unknown

          Comment


            #35
            Gem - I'm so pleased you reposted that story. It still brings a lump to my throat, and I think we both know one little girl who could well have had the same wish. xx

            "Joy is what happens to us when we allow ourselves to recognise how good things really are. "

            (Marianne Williamson)

            Comment


              #36
              That's such a lovely story.It keeps you guessing until the very end.Wonderful.

              Comment


                #37
                Ladies! This thread is still open and contributions are very welcome - long or short, serious or light-hearted, let your imaginations loose.
                "Joy is what happens to us when we allow ourselves to recognise how good things really are. "

                (Marianne Williamson)

                Comment


                  #38

                  Daisy, Poppy, Lily and Rose.

                  The four flower fairy dolls were the stars of the Christmas tree. Every year the four of them proudly hung there, amongst the stars, baubles, Santas and reindeer.
                  Each year , waiting in their box, they wondered who would be nearest the top. None of them was on the top of the tree, a silver star had that privileged position. The sisters, for these dolls were sisters, all wanted that prime position at the front of the tree not far from the top.
                  'You were there last year Daisy!' Rose moaned, 'and before that Lily was there for two years in a row! It's really not fair. It will definitely be me this year'. 'Or Poppy', said Daisy, standing up for the much quieter sister.
                  'Oh, I don't mind, In a way I quite like being lower down and not right in front' Poppy whispered.
                  'Evie will choose'. said Lily. 'As she gets older I hope she will remember who was where last year, and give us our fair turns!'. 'I hope so!' said Rose her cheeks as pink as her dress ' and I hope she chooses me this time!'
                  The other 3 dolls looked at each other. They were used to Roses bossy ways!

                  Daisy in her yellow dress, Rose in her pink, Poppy in red and Lily in white, each was equally beautiful. They had the sweetest faces and pretty curly long hair. Each had a tiny circlet of her own flowers on her head, and each dress was adorned with tiny shimmering sequins.
                  Evie loved the dolls and would have chosen to keep them in her bedroom and play with them all year round, were it up to her! Her mum told her they were delicate and special. Given to her one Christmas when she was a little girl, a special present from her Grandmother. They had been a feature on every Christmas tree in Evie's mums life since she was 6 years old.
                  Evie was 8 years old. Since she was 3 her mum had let her choose which doll went where on the tree. Little did she know how important this was to the fairies!

                  The dolls were now out of their box. Evie had been allowed to help her mum to gently wipe their faces with a soft cloth, and arrange their clothes and hair neatly. The four dolls stood proudly on the coffee table, knowing they looked their best. They could see the Christmas tree standing in the corner. It looked lovely, with many tiny lights and colourful decorations, the silver star on top. Daisy looked at her sisters 'I wonder if there is room for us on the tree this year?' she asked in a rather worried voice. 'I think they will have to move that robin to make room for me near the top' Rose replied.
                  Just then Evie and her mum came into the room. Mum set a large cardboard box down on the coffee table. Evie jumped up and down. 'Mummy, I'm so excited, I can't wait to see what Grandma sent me!'. 'I think you will like it' smiled her mum. 'It's perfect.'

                  Ten minutes later Daisy, Poppy, Lily and Rose each stood proudly on top of her own tiny tree! Evies Grandma had sent her four small trees, just right for a fairy doll each.
                  'Where shall we put them?' Asked Evies mum. 'In the window!' Evie pleaded '. ' I think the fairies will like to look out, and everyone passing will see them!'
                  All that Christmas season passers by admired the beautiful flower fairy dolls on the miniature trees, on the window sill, lit by tiny lights. Four dolls were the happiest they had ever been.
                  Daisy, Poppy, Lily and Rose!
                  “A grandchild fills a space in your heart that you never knew was empty.” – Unknown

                  Comment


                    #39
                    Aww, Gem, that's such a sweet story. I can imagine reading it to one of our GDs on Christmas Eve in that magic hour when they know they're going to bed very soon, but need to fairy dust to help them settle down with thoughts of the magic of Christmas. I can remember loving stories about fairies when I was very little.
                    "Joy is what happens to us when we allow ourselves to recognise how good things really are. "

                    (Marianne Williamson)

                    Comment


                      #40
                      Great story, nice one to read to your GC. You are very good at writing stories Gem, I am rubbish
                      What is life if full of care we have no time to stand and stare

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                        #41
                        Aww, thanks Plant

                        I think I will print out the fairy doll story, plus Hollys Christmas about the cat, and The Christmas Wish and give them to GD as a little book before next Christmas.
                        “A grandchild fills a space in your heart that you never knew was empty.” – Unknown

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                          #42
                          Great idea Gemini
                          What is life if full of care we have no time to stand and stare

                          Comment


                            #43
                            Gem - that's a lovely idea. You could put some pictures or illustrations in too and get it printed - like a photo book. DIL2 has done a couple of those about their dog and GD1 absolutely loved them.
                            "Joy is what happens to us when we allow ourselves to recognise how good things really are. "

                            (Marianne Williamson)

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