Bedazzled by Teresa Karlinski | The Sunday’s of Advent | Advent Calendar 2016

Advent Calendar 2016, The Sundays of Advent 2016 3 Minutes


3rd Sunday of Advent | Day 11 | Advent Calendar

Bedazzled by Teresa Karlinski

Dolores studied the bedraggled excuse for a tree. Branches drooped instead of bouncing proud and wide. What once passed for needles, the sparse boughs presented bristles and wire. The bottom limbs collapsed tired and spent, sweeping the floor like broken wings. She had not bothered decorating for years, yet Dolores dragged the box out of the garage a week before Christmas as if driven. Husband long dead and children and grandchildren scattered over the map, she had no one with whom to celebrate. A hand to her cheek, she paused, lost in forgotten memories. What had come over her? Why had she hung on to this sorry fake? What did it matter? No one would see it but her. You’re a disaster. If it wasn’t so much trouble taking you down again, I’d trash you now.

She jumped at the urgent thump on her door, reverie shattered. The Bulova watch on her wrist—her long-dead mother’s—showed 4:30 p.m. What difference does the time make? I’m not expecting anyone. Indecisive about answering the door, curiosity propelled her forward. A cautious hand on the door, she opened it a crack. No one there. The sound registered before she noticed the four crimson-cheeked children, huddled together on her step—three girls and a boy—who burst into disjointed caroling.

Deck the Halls with boughs of holly…

Dolores opened the door wider, a smile warming her face. No sooner had the carol ended when the quartet began another, each singing a different song. The smallest girl raised a hand and said, “Stop. Did you forget already, Jingle Bells is next?”

Arms crossed hugging herself, Dolores shivered in a stir of wind but waited until the children finished. “It’s freezing. Care to share a hot chocolate inside with me?”

The pixie child shook her head. “Not allowed. We came to see if you’re okay. Are you?” A tiny arm fluttered upward and dropped.

“Wait. I have something special for you.” The children shouldered each other, rocking to keep warm or in anticipation of the offer. “Please wait.” Frozen limbs purple-stiff, she swerved back into the house on wobbly legs, the door left ajar.

“We singed enough. I wanna go home.” Nose dripping into his scarf, the boy turned to leave.

“Is Christmas about you? No.” The fairy child bobbed forward. “It’s about shut-ins and lonely people. Peace on earth and good will to man and woman and child.” She slammed a purple mitten to her mouth.

“Wait. Thank you for your sweet carolling. I have these old and fragile Christmas decorations from long ago, when I was your age—some before my time.” She dropped a single red-tissue wrapped package into each of three Ziploc bags. The last she unfolded. “This one is for you, little sprite.”

Glass Decorations
Image Source: https://pixabay.com/en/antique-christmas-ornaments-glass-71899/

The girl’s face glowed with delight. “Pretty. Are you sure?”

“This angel is hand-blown glass, over seventy-five years old. Delicate like you.” Dolores rewrapped the ornament with infinite care. Each child removed a glove, even in the cold, grasping a corner of plastic bag to transport the windfall home. They scrambled down the stairs chanting thank you, thank you.

The tiny girl turned back. “You look like the grandma I wish I had.”

“You don’t have one?”

“I never met the one that lives far away and the other one died.”

“How old are you, child? What’s your name?” Dolores shivered in her thin sweater.

“I’m seven—Sara.” Her companions had stopped to listen. “That’s my brother, John—he’s five. My friend Janie is six and her friend Lily is six, too.”

Dolores swallowed and swallowed again, a hard knot grew in her throat. “I’m Mrs. Tucker. Come back anytime—and bring your mothers.” She rushed inside. Rubbing aching hands for warmth, she leaned against the door. A flutter in her chest rose like an opera; her blood roared; her spirit rose. For the first time in forever, she was glad to be alive.

She opened the rest of the decorations and dressed the tree, humming. Dang, this scrawny thing doesn’t look bad—not grand, but it will do. Next year I’ll buy a new one.

I have cookies to bake and neighbors to visit. Maybe some will come for tea. Silly woman. I wasted a year in this house in my self-imposed solitude. It’s going to be a Merry Christmas after all.

* * *

Author Bio:

Teresa (Tess) Karlinski is retired and the lucky grandmother of two delightful granddaughters. In addition to cooking (and eating), she enjoys reading, writing, and blogging. At this time in her life, she should have more time to read but there is never enough.

She has been published in numerous anthologies and magazines (links available on her blog: how the cookie crumbles).

Links:

Blog – how the cookie crumbles

Email – cookiecrumbles2012@gmail.com

Twitter – @TeresaKarlinski

FB – http://facebook.com/teresa.karlinski

 

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60 thoughts on “Bedazzled by Teresa Karlinski | The Sunday’s of Advent | Advent Calendar 2016”

    1. Dear Gwynn, I asked you last year if you wanted to be part of the calendar. Let me ask you again. Would you like to send in a little Christmas contribution?

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      1. Solveig, I do appreciate you thinking of me. Since I have been caregiving for my husband this year… since last Christmas Eve, about all I could write would be Bah Humbug. I have turned into the Grinch. I do Thank you though. I hope you and your family have a very LOVELY and Merry Christmas!

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  5. lovely, the sweet innocence of the young and the equal innocent enjoyment of those with enough experience to realise simple human interactions are what really count. Thank you Tess and Solveig

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  7. Reblogged this on willowdot21 and commented:
    Hi this is part of Solveig Werner’s at https://solveigwerner.com Advent Calendar. 3rd Sunday of Advent | Day 11 | Advent Calendar Bedazzled by Teresa Karlinski. A truly heartwarming story of kindness and innocence. I shall be trying to reblog the entries daily! By the way my entry is December 22nd. Happy Advent . Enjoy. xxx

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    1. Ha ha. I was looking at mine when I wrote this, but it was the last one I had that was probably closer to the one in this story.
      Thanks so much for reading, Kanzen, and you kind words. ❤

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  20. Thank you for sharing this beautiful heartwarming story. It seems just when we are about to give up something wonderful happens. It might be a just a knock on he door and all of a sudden your spirits are lifted and joy takes place in your heart. It might even be just clicking on a post and reading the words. :o) Merry Christmas :o)

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  26. What a deeply heartwarming beautifully written tale. Damn you woman! How am I ever going to say humbug again!

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  28. This one made me cry! Good tears. You captured the simplicity of the holiday and of the children. It’s a good reminder that there is still good in the world. Thank you!

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  29. Pingback: Bedazzled by Teresa Karlinski | The Sunday’s of Advent | Advent Calendar 2016 | Solveig Werner | writerchristophfischer

  30. Such a touching story, Tess xx I’m so happy the older woman found a new joyful reason for living and that the sprite child had such a nice moment with her sudo-grandmother. Loved this write! ❤

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  31. Pingback: Advent Calendar 2016 | Overview | Solveig Werner
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