Sunset burned
into snow. The last of the old year ready
to vanish. She stood on the porch, in the chill. Like she had stood
for so many New Years eves. All was quiet. All was well. Waiting for the year
to start over.
“I wait for
you……” she thought. Like she did every year.
She could see
the road stretching out. Or at least
where she supposed the road to be. Old
Christmas lights hung perilously, like
glittering hunks of jello.
There was
crying in the night. From the wind scratching
in the trees. The New Year was fast approaching. It was Watch Night. Yes, I wait for you……
She wrapped a
blanket around her shoulders. In her
dreams darkness faded away. But this was no dream. And the New Year was tumbling
closer.
“Hush now,
you can hear the angels sing” Her breath spun in mists.
If she whispered his name, would she see him……
The night was softly quiet. She was getting too old to
be waiting in the snow.But she had promised him. Every New Years she would be here.
She sang
lullaby in the night. In the velvet, snow laden mist.
Lullay lullay,
beyond the rising sun . She sang the old carol. His favourite. She sang it to
the snow.
Lullay lullay….
“Hush now,
hear the angels sing”
She lifted him up. As best she could. Her grandson wrapped his arms about her neck.
And the bells pealed forth from far and wide.
“He hears
us. ”
Neighbours gathered on their porches banging pots and pans and ringing bells , and shouting Happy New Year.
It was a wonderful sound.
“I wait
for you…….” She thought she heard him.
“We will whisper
his name. “ She held her grandson close.
And the
bells of the New Year rang forth. And she was not afraid, because joy shone through all of the dark to bring
light.