True Story: "An Answered Chistmas Prayer"

This is a true story that speaks to love, hope, faith, prayer, family, and companionship. It begins last Christmas and comes full circle to this Christmas.

AN ANSWERED CHRISTMAS PRAYER

　

Last year at Christmas, alone and without family, I found myself reflecting upon the fact that I was 44, never married, and without children. It often seemed that I would always be alone, holiday or not, and each new year brought a feeling of more and more hopelessness. In addition, it had been since 1994 that I had had a Christmas tree. That was the last Christmas I spent with my fiancée before he died of cancer in April of 1995.

Over the years I became stuck in my life. I was on disability for fibromyalgia and lived on a limited income. Life had become very difficult.

As Christmas approached last year, I was having a conversation with a friend who is Jewish. Once she knew of my not celebrating Christmas for the past 15 years, it was she who insisted that I get a Christmas tree. “You HAVE to have a tree, Sharon! Go out and get one today! Do it for you!” How was I going to do this? I had no extra money to buy a tree and felt like it would be pointless to entertain the idea. She reminded me, “Sharon, you’re on freecycle! Put an ad up on that!” Freecycle, huh? That’s an idea, the email group where people recycle their goods to others. What kind of chances did I have?

I told her, ‘OK”, but felt the chances were slim. I put up the add anyway, and within 15 minutes, I had my tree. Stand included. A beautiful 6 foot Frazier Fur. A bittersweet moment.

I spent the next several hours pulling out stored Christmas decorations, wondering what I would use. Did I even have enough lights? It had been so long. I began to decorate it and shuffled around my dogs who were curious as to what this fragrant object was. Finally, the tree was completed. I have to admit, it turned out beautifully. White lights and blues and silvers…those were the colors I would choose. It danced alone, all aglow.

I spent hours every night looking at that tree. Amazed by what I saw. Yes, this was a good decision, indeed. Only there was no one to share it with. I made certain to buy gifts for my friends and their children and had them wrapped just so. Perfect in every way. I reflected upon Christmas’ passed, trying to find some joy in where I was at that moment.

One evening, I laid under that tree. My eyes positioned just so as to see the lighted angel atop of it. It was there, amidst the twinkling lights of my Christmas tree, that I said a prayer, "Dear God, please don't let me spend another Christmas alone. Please send someone special into my life." Exhaling, I sent the prayer up to God and let it go. Trying to forget about it and my situation. Life continued on.

One month later, while on Facebook, a man I had known in high school, sent me a friend's request. We began to catch up with one another. So much had happened in each of our lives over the past 30 years. We spoke of places we had been, what we were doing now, and out of this, a lovely friendship began. Within a month we had our first dinner date. I remember how nervous I was prior to his first arrival. It had been so very long ago since we had laid eyes upon one another. How did I look? I wasn’t 16 any more…I had believed that many years of difficulty showed upon my face. The doorbell rang. Our eyes met, and it was there in that moment, that a miracle occurred. I melted, and so did he. I soon found that being in his presence felt like breathing for me. It all came so naturally, as if we had never parted from the youth of our days. I had never felt this sort of comfort and ease with another person, ever. And, before I knew it, it was Valentine’s Day, then Easter, Spring, warm Summer breezes, Memorial Day, Halloween, and recently, Thanksgiving. Certainly, the time we have spent together has flown by in the blink of an eye. Our time together has proven to be graceful, kind, loving, as it only continues to grow. A mature love has developed. A deep, respectful, absolute love.

Just recently I realized that Christmas time is here again, only this time I am not alone. I am finally part of a wonderful, wonderful family. In realizing this, I also realized the most beautiful gift of all: God had, in fact, answered my prayer. The prayer that I had offered last Christmas and then tried so desperately to forget . I feel truly blessed as I end this year in the warm embrace of a family who is all-loving, supportive, and all-encompassing. And, as I reflect upon my life today, I am so reminded in every possible way that I am no longer alone. A sense of completeness now resides deep within me. My soul is singing loud praises of joy and gratitude for this amazing person who is in my life. A man who is a superb father of two beautiful sons, a man who is the son of two magnificent parents, a man that I love with every possible ounce of me. Yes, today, I can say, that the answer to my prayer is more beautiful than I could ever have imagined!

Reviews

[Cafe Reader]

Wonderful story!

[KATHY SUE SILLS]

Thank you for sharing a part of you with your readers here on writerscafe! This is such a wonderful story and a messeage to us all that God still answers prayers. Merry Christmas!

[KAREN]

A wonderful Christmas story! I enjoyed reading it alot! Shows me that prayers are still answered!