A Christmas Story, Part 2

Soon, Mommy, Daddy and Rose began walking to church. It was so cold! They flapped their arms, Rose skipped along and laughed as they had fun trying to keep warm.

They arrived at the small church and admired the nativity scene in front. Rose thought she saw something move in the manger straw, but decided her shivering from the cold was making other things look like they moved. "How funny", she thought.

Mommy, Daddy and Rose quickly entered the church, gave thanks for all they had, prayed for those less fortunate and sang all their favorite Christmas carols. It was a wonderful service, just as Rose had known it would be.

Soon, the hour had passed and everyone began leaving. Daddy, Mommy and Rose put on their coats and gloves and went down the church steps. They all stopped to admire the Manger scene. They murmered to each other how lovely it was and what it meant to them to celebrate that night so many years ago.

Suddenly, all 3 of them heard a very small quivering voice say

"uh. hey. can you hear me???"

All 3 looked around to see who was talking to them. Daddy was the one to say,

"Yes, we can hear you, but who and where are you??"

Digger was so cold, so weak and so very frightened of these humans. But what his Mama had said had been true. The humans had heard and understood him. He mustered up all the courage he could find, and popped his head up out of the straw.

"Uh, it's me. Right here in the manger. And I am Digger."

Mommy's eyes widened in wonder. Rose clapped her hands together hardly believing her own eyes. Daddy looked at him very strangely. Three strides took him to Digger. He scooped him up, looking at him without speaking a word. And stared and stared...

Digger had never been picked up, held or touched by a human except in anger. His little heart beat so fast in his little chest, he thought he might die of fear.

"Uh, well, sir. I knew I should not talk. Mama told me I would get my Christmas Miracle if I did. So I did what she told me before she died. Please don't hurt me. Please"

Rose looked at Daddy, knowing he loved animals and would never harm the little bag of bones he now held. She saw a single tear running down his cheek.

"Daddy!! What is it??!!"

Daddy spoke to the little, shivering orange speckled puppy called Digger, oblivious to all else for that moment. He cleared his throat, wiped his eyes and said "I would never hurt you little one. You said your Mama died?"

"Uh, yessir." Digger held his breath, wondering if he was truly not to be hurt.

Daddy had turned him this way, that way, every way he could, as if inspecting Digger, well, for what?? Digger (and Rose) had no idea why.

Daddy now tucked the poor little shivering pup into his coat and kissed Digger's head. "Digger, you look just like your Mama. You are coming home with us where we will feed you and keep you warm. You have a home from now on."

Rose was so thrilled. Her Christmas gift!! But she was very puzzled and wanted to know how her daddy knew that Digger looked just like his Mama.

Daddy must have read her mind because he turned back to Rose and her Mommy. Both noticed his face was wet. Rose had heard of tears of joy before. Daddy glanced at Mommy as if she shared a secret with him about all of this.

"Rose, I had a dog. Her name was Tippy, after her white tipped tail. She had an orange speckled body with a brown patch around her right eye. Just like this pup. Tippy was so loyal, so sweet, I loved her so."
Mommy gasped and her eyes got even wider. Rose saw Daddy nod his head at Mommy as if to say "yes".

He continued, "When I had to leave so suddenly, she tried to follow me. I never knew what became of her. Your Mommy never saw her again either. We thought maybe she had been killed when she tried to come with me, but now I know that didn't happen. I at least know now that while she must have had a very hard life, she left part of herself here for me. She was so wise to tell her boy to come here. To send her son to us. And now she has gone on to wait for me in heaven-what dogs call the Rainbow Bridge-where they wait for their people and all those they have loved."

Digger listened intently because he knew soon he would not be able to understand the human words, nor talk to them. Until NEXT Christmas Eve he thought. Quickly, before it was too late, little Digger had one more thing to say.

"My mama was right. I don't know how she knew it would be you, but I know she did. Your's is the first kind hand I ever felt and I am not afraid anymore. I will always love all of you and be your faithful friend. Just like Mama was. I promise."

Daddy kissed Digger's sweet head again, as did Mommy and Rose. Digger shyly licked each of them and felt his heart might burst with happiness.

"Oh, Mama," he thought, "I miss you so, but now I know I will see you and my brothers at the Rainbow Bridge one day. How did you know your person, the one you told me about, would be the one to find me? Thank you Mama, thank you for sending me to the church's manger."

As they walked home, Rose thought this had been the most wonderful night of her life. As her parents talked about the miracle of finding little Digger, who they knew was Tippy's son, just had to be, Rose could not imagine a more perfect end to their Christmas. She had longed for a puppy, but had never asked for one because she figured she should not ask for another mouth to feed. It was the perfect gift for her!

As they approached their house, Rose saw a bright glow through the glass panes of the double doors. Daddy unlocked the door and as they entered , Rose gasped.

There was the most beautiful Christmas tree she had ever seen in the parlor. A TREE!!!! It shone as brightly as the star in the east must have the very first Chritmas Eve! It was covered with candles and sparklers! Rose could not think of the words to describe such brilliant, shining beauty.

"Mommy! Daddy! How?? Who??""

Her parents just shrugged their shoulders while grinning from ear to ear.

"It looks like we got two Christmas Miracles" Mommy and Daddy said in unison.

Digger, still in Daddy's coat was looking around the house as he had never been in one. He was rather confused about a tree growing in there, but then aren't all dogs..... He was just happy to have a home. A real home with his own humans.

As the brightly lit tree shone all around the parlor, Daddy finally took little Digger out of his coat and set him down. Rose sat down by her tree,( by her Christmas tree!) and coaxed Digger to her lap. His scrawny little tail started to wag, and he reached up to give Rose a lick on her chin.

After Mommy had heated up the last bit of soup from supper, Digger ate and ate. For the first time that he could remember he was full. Now, he was having a very hard time keeping his eyes open. Rose was too, so she lay down on the couch and pulled Digger up with her. In no time, both of them had gone to sleep in the glow of the wonderful Christmas Tree.

Her parents looked down on the two, bathed in the brilliant glow of the tree. Neither of them could stop smiling.

Post Script

Rose truly understood from that Christmas on, the true meaning of Christmas and that the Spirit of Christmas lives in your heart everyday if you let it. She never felt "poor" or lacking in anything again. And knowing that Love is the greatest gift, the greatest wealth one can posess, and possessing that wealth, well.....that's pretty wonderful and very special.

I wish all of that for all of you.