The Avondhu - By The Fireside

A LETTER from HEAVEN

- John O’Brien

One November, a young family was looking forward to Christmas. The young son had turned 10 years old. He was excited and looking forward to Christmas. The young boy even had his letter to Santa written.

Christmas came that year and the young boy got the present that he asked from Santa. That Christmas was a special Christmas for the young boy.

Sadly, the following January, the boy's father died due to a freak accident. The family, their relatives and friends were heartbroke­n. The mother now had to put her grief to one side because she wanted to make sure her son was coping emotionall­y. But at night she cried thinking about her husband and the pain and grief that her son was going through.

The soul of the father reached the gates of heaven, where St Peter said that the father was a good man. He was a kind and a caring father and husband. The husband knew that his wife and son were missing him. Peter said to the father that his son would grow up into a fine young man. This young man would affect the world in a positive fashion. God had decided that the boy would get a wonderful present next Christmas from Santa. Now that the father was in heaven he knew his boy will be grand.

On one March morning, the mother went shopping with her son. As they left the shop they noticed an old man with short white hair and a long white beard. You would think that this man was down on his luck. But the suit that the old man was wearing was new and neat. The Mother, who was confused by the old man's appearance, went up to the old man to see if he was OK and if he needed any money. The old man laughed and said that he had no worries in the world. This old man was kindly and gentle in his approach to people.

The mother asked the old man if he had any place to stay. The old man laughed and said that he had, but that he was new to the area. The mother, who was usually a cautious woman, invited the old man to visit. Every evening the old man visited the home of this family for a chat and a bite to eat. The mother couldn't understand how the old man got to their house and left. But now, the young boy was coping better with his grief. That October, the old man said he had to go but that he would visit again at Christmas.

That Christmas, the mother and the son arrived home after Christmas Mass. That Christmas was a sad Christmas, as they were missing their father and husband. When they got home they were surprised when they saw the old man standing by the fireplace. But this time he was dressed as Santa. He said he was Santa and to prove that he was, he clicked his fingers and all three of them reappeared on the roof of the house, staring at a sled and reindeers. Within an instant, they were again back in the sittingroo­m.

Then Santa told the mother all the presents he gave her when she was a child. He said he wanted to show them that he really was Santa, saying to the boy that he was giving a him a special present this year. The boy was a good boy who would grow up into a great man. Then Santa produced a letter addressed to the boy. In the letter, the boy's dad said he wanted to send this letter to him specially, to let him know he loved him and was proud of him. His father wanted the boy to tell his mother that she was special too.

After the letter was read, the boy along with his mother and Santa spent the rest of the night giving presents around the world.

That Christmas was a special Christmas for that family. The mother said goodbye to her husband. She lived her life, but she felt honoured that she knew and married such a special man. And the boy did grow up to make the world a better place.

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