FOREVER HOME (a Christmas story for Brinley)

            “Blessed is the season, which engages the whole world in a                              conspiracy of love….” – Hamilton Wright Mabi

Snow. It fell that Christmas Eve. In the quiet of the day, and early night. Candles burning in shining windows. So quiet. So  beautiful. So lost she was in their light. In the white world beyond the place where she belonged. Her dreams engulfing her in a warm embrace.

Brinley (photo credit Suzanne Smith)

 Lost. Not so long ago.....or so far away. On a moonless night, such as this. A magical night.  Just stars above and heaven below. Showing her the way on sweet ,new snow.

Footfalls soft and gentle. Snow  whispering on her lashes. Eyes lifted up to the darkening forest, dense and overgrown. So alone was she. 

Branches dripping and dragging. Crystals sprinkling  from  sky torches held aloft, above the trees. That endless sky of starlight shine. Night of nights. She stepped carefully,  as not to disturb the loveliness.

She remembered a warm fire. Candlelight  glow. Peace and endless love. And The Dog. She had not forgotten him. The Dog she loved so well. Curled up by the fire. And she. Waiting for angels.  Gentle voices, telling her she was loved, beyond all measure.

She was drawn out into that world of icy white velvet. Where were the angels. Where did they go......

Tranquil night of her heart. She was lost in the soothing, still air, catching snowflakes , dancing before her. She felt beautiful.........

The angels spoke in quiet words. Above the snow and stars. She closed her eyes, imagining herself home. To be home at last. Forever. For she was lost in the galaxy, searching for her way.

                                          

To be safe and cherished. Forever. To be loved. In the darkness she heard  her angels whispering again. Somewhere in this cold night. Where were they....

          For she was lost. Mountains towered before , wrapping her path in forbidden fog......

 

 

 To be without fear at last. To be home. To be at journey's end. She wondered a lot of these things. Keeping her thoughts close to her heart. 

Once more she heard the angels. They were close this time. Very close. She twirled in the soft snow, feeling warm arms scooping  her up. Holding  her up to their hearts. This night of nights. 

 "The true spirit of Christmas is love...."  -Linda Willis

For the rest of Christmas Eve, she stayed by her window, in the warmth of the fire, with the Dog snoring blissfully beside her. She saw the last star fade away, then morning shone over the horizon. She still heard the angel voices. Sweet and low. Surrounding her. For that would never fade. Now she was truly home. ....

“Angels come down, with Christmas in their hearts, Gentle, whimsical, laughing, heaven-sent; And, for a day, fair Peace have given me.” —Vachel Lindsay

Photographs 2024  with thanks to Suzanne S. and Peter G. 

Stay tuned for more stories in 2025......

Merry Christmas, with love......

          Brinley (photo credit Suzanne Smith)