Holiday Advent Story 18

The annual holiday party had begun. People gathered in their finest clothes. They drank, laughed, danced, and celebrated the loved ones they had left behind.

In one corner was a small table with a small group sitting around warmly remembering the time they’d spent with family.

Bill had brought a large plate of foods and treats from the table with a few extra plates for everyone to share. Al had stopped at the long table filled with drinks and grabbed each person their favorites. Dorothy had stopped by the library and brought the picture frame that held they’d use to view the year. Gail carried up a set of small boxes she was handed, one for each of them.

“How are we all doing?” asked Dorothy.

“I’m in good spirits,” said Bill.

“You tell that same joke every year,” said Al.

“I know,” said Bill. “It still makes me laugh.”

“Have you looked in on any of them this year?” asked Dorothy.

“I went home one night,” said Gail. “I’m so glad he’s happy.”

“I went to mine,” said Bill. “She’s still as feisty as I remember.”

“We went to watch the grandbabies,” said Al. “They’ve grown so much. They’re having babies of their own.”

“Always look at the grandbabies,” said Bill.

“I swear they can see me,” said Gail.

“The younger ones can,” said Dorothy. “They’ll grow out of it.”

“It’s sad when it happens,” said Al. “They lose the imagination to believe in us anymore.”

“I miss talking to Molly,” said Dorothy.

“But Ila loves your lullabies,” said Al.

“Sophi will be along soon,” said Gail.

“Her mother is so big,” said Dorothy. “I swear it’s twins.”

“If it is,” said Gail. “She’ll crap herself.”

They fell silent for a bit and sampled the foods set before them.

“Is it weird I worry more about the older ones?” asked Gail.

“Not at all,” said Bill. “We knew them best.”

“They’re doing fine,” said Dorothy. “A couple of them have a bump in the road but they all take care of each other.”

“They’ll be fine,” said Al.

They set their plates aside, the food mostly gone, and Dorothy reached for the picture frame. She set it at the edge of the table and stood it on end flipping out the little stand.

“I love that Amber makes these,” said Al.

“It’s always so nice to watch the year they’ve all had,” said Bill.

The image in the frame began to shimmer and music started to play. The foursome watched as the pictures flowed by each group set to its own music. Pictures of birthday parties, sporting events, vacations, and holidays flowed past.

When the video ended they sat in silence for a long moment. Bill held his glass up towards the middle of the table and they all followed suit. The glasses clinked and everyone took a drink. They sat there for a moment thinking of their loved ones.

Bill reached out to the presents and began to hand each person their own. Each gift was brightly wrapped in colorful paper that represented them. Bill’s paper had a military theme, Al’s had bright cartoon tractors, Dorothy’s was covered in flowers, and Gail’s was covered in party favors and festive hats.

They all knew what was inside. Each gift held a glass ball. When they lifted the ball and shook it, they’d see every time someone thought of them in the last year. Every memory, conversation, or story told was shown to them. The person who had the memory was clearly visible. Every happy moment a member of their family had that they were a part of was shown to them.

They sat there for a while staring at the glass balls, smiling at their families. Then Bill looked at a clock on the wall. “I want to head home” He stood from the table. “She’ll be alone tonight until Stevie gets back and I want to sit with her while she reads.”

“No one should be alone tonight,” said Dorothy.

“It’s her choice,” said Bill.

Dorothy rose and hugged him. “Tell her we love and miss her.”

“I will,” said Bill. “I’ll wait till she sleeps, she should hear it in her dreams.”

Eventually the rest of them left the table. Gail was the last to leave. She paused at the edge of the party holding her globe in one hand and the frame in the other. Turned to look out at the reader and said, “Someone up here misses you. It’s okay though, because tonight we’ll think about you and be happy. Heck, we’ll probably visit you in your dreams. So know that you are loved.”

end

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