The cold wind caught the old gentleman by surprise as he stepped outside of his small toy and gift store. The temperature must have dropped thirty degrees since he had arrived at work this morning. Welcome to winter in north Alabama. He had not gone out for lunch on this particular day, so he had no idea that a cold front had moved in. The darkness, hastened by end of Daylight Savings Time (which he and 97 percent of all Americans hated to see happen and didn’t understand), made the evening feel even colder.
Business had been slow for the past few months, but the Christmas upswing had begun. He was glad. It wasn’t that he needed the money. His pension and monthly Social Security check were sufficient for a comfortable living. The small profit turned by the store provided extra spending money and a rainy-day fund. His modest house was paid for, and it simply didn’t require a lot for a 77-year-old man to live on. He was comfortable and to him that was all that mattered. Still, if the next couple of weeks were true to form, he’d have enough sales to keep the store breaking even for another year. And for that, he was thankful.
His pension was the result of 44 years of steady work in a paper mill that had closed in recent years. Most of his friends were long retired from their mill, but many of their kids still worked there and had been shocked by the closing. Most had found other jobs, although most were not as good as the jobs they had lost.
He had considered selling the small shop on more than one occasion. There had been inquiries and a couple of fair offers. But in the end, he always chose to continue to keep it. He enjoyed being around people. He was always excited to meet new customers and help them find the perfect gift. But he had a special affection for those who had supported the store for years, as opposed to buying online or at the big box chains. He enjoyed the casual conversations and hearing about what was going on in their lives. He knew their names, and many of their children. Plus, the store also got him out of bed early each morning and gave him something to fill his day.
But the main reason he never seriously considered selling it was because it was hers. It had been her store up until the end. He had helped out of course, when he wasn’t working and after his retirement. But it was her idea and her dream. And today, it was what still connected him to her, even after all these years.
As he turned to lock the door behind him, he sensed that someone had stepped out of the shadows and was in his personal space. A slight surge of fear gave way to annoyance when he realized it was Emmett, his neighbor and one-time friend. Yes, he was his neighbor. Nothing he could do about that. But he was certainly no longer a friend. And his endless string of apologies and whining wouldn’t change that. And their other connection? Well, he simply refused to acknowledge it.
Emmett was not unaware of the way his old friend felt about him. And despite refusal after refusal to discuss their differences, he was determined to continue to seek reconciliation. He broke the icy silence, despite the cold stare by the store owner.
“Silas, would you give an old friend a ride?”
“Why? You have a car.”
“I took it in for servicing, and they didn’t get to it today. Offered me a loaner, but you’re just down the street, and I told them I’d grab a lift with you.”
“You should have taken the loaner.”
“I just need a ride home. We’re next-door neighbors and I won’t need a ride back in tomorrow. They’ll deliver my car when it’s ready.”
Without making eye contact, Silas stepped off the curb, opened his car door, and simply said, “Get in.”
He started the engine of the small SUV and backed out of the parking place. As he eased the vehicle forward, Emmett spoke.
“Silas…”
“I agreed to give you a lift. I didn’t say anything about conversation.”
“But…”. Emmett stopped. He knew it was pointless to persist. Silas had always been stubborn, and the last twelve years had hardened him. His stubbornness was now downright bitterness. He resigned himself to the silent and uncomfortable ride home. As they rode in silence, he thought back on the events that had brought two close friends to the point that he now lived next door to a total stranger.
It began with a woman. And it ended with a woman. But not in the way you might be thinking. No, it involved one special woman, a kind and loving lady named Eleanor. She was Emmett’s sister. But more importantly, she had been Silas’s wife for forty-five years until she passed away around Christmas time twelve years ago. That was when everything changed.
Emmett didn’t blame Silas. He realized his actions had been inexcusable and was beyond remorseful. He had asked, and he believed he had received forgiveness from God for this and other failures. But he still struggled with what he had done. He understood why Silas was so bitter and unforgiving. That didn’t make it any easier.
“Silas?” Silence.
“Silas? Is there any chance you’d let me explain?”
“Stop talking if you want to ride. Nothing has changed. Nothing to explain. I was there.”
Emmett went silent. It was no use. The sins of his past were still haunting him today. He understood the anger. He had brought this on himself with years of bad choices, most having to do with alcohol in one form or another.
Silas and Emmett had enjoyed a friendship that had begun more than 60 years ago, when they were high school pals. They played sports together. They talked about girls together. They were almost inseparable. If Emmett was not at home, he was probably with Silas, and vice versa. Eleanor was two years younger but was always around when Silas dropped in to hang out with Emmett. Over time, nature took its course, and Silas, with Emmett’s blessing, asked Eleanor to go to a movie with him. The rest, as they say, is history. The romance blossomed, and two years after high school, Silas and Eleanor were married. Emmett was Silas’s best man. Their lives were blessed by a daughter, Katie, who had long-since married and moved to a larger town a couple of hours away. Katie had always been the apple of her Uncle Emmett’s eye, especially before she married and left their small town. He had treated his young niece like a princess, splurging on gifts for her at every opportunity.
The friendship of Emmett and Silas was sealed for life. Until it wasn’t.
After high school, Emmett went away for a stint in the military, including a tour of Vietnam. Silas, on the other hand, had a few minor health issues that kept him from being drafted. While serving his stint, Emmett returned home for the wedding, and every other opportunity to visit the only family he had. He and Silas remained friends, but while serving his country, Emmett developed a taste for various forms of alcohol. Even when he returned home, he was unable to shake it. Perhaps his memories of what he had seen, and possibly done in his young military life contributed to his drinking problem. No one could say for sure. Emmett refused to discuss his experiences, even with his old friend. No one knew for certain why Emmett never married, but most suspected that his love for drinking was a primary reason. After losing Eleanor, he and no family except for Silas, Katie and her husband Bob. Now he didn’t even have them.
Everything changed roughly fifteen years ago when Eleanor unexpectedly fainted at the store. Fortunately, Silas was there and rushed her to the hospital, just to be on the safe side. But a series of tests confirmed their worst fears. Eleanor had a tumor that, despite almost three years of treatment and an abundance of prayer, eventually claimed her life. Silas was devastated. So was Emmett. Shortly after her diagnosis, he had disappeared and was not seen and seldom heard from until Eleanor’s visitation and funeral.
It was a terrible night. No other way to say it. As the guests filed past the coffin offering their condolences to Silas and Katie, and sharing their memories of Eleanor, everyone became aware of the whispers and commotion in the back of the small church. It was the same church where Silas and Eleanor had been married those many years ago. Silas asked Katie to check out what was causing all the noise. As the noise increased, she returned with a frantic look in her eyes. “Dad, it’s Uncle Emmett! He insists on seeing Mom, but I think he’s drinking. Some of the guys are trying to get him to leave!” Before he could process the words coming from Katie’s mouth, Silas saw Emmett barge through the doorway and stagger to the coffin. It was a surreal moment. He was wailing uncontrollably. He wrapped his arms around Silas, sobbing and screaming. “It’s not fair! Why did she have to die? Silas, what are we going to do?”
Silas was furious. “Get out!” he whispered, trying to maintain at least a bit of decorum. Katie’s husband, Bob tugged at Emmett. “Uncle Emmett, come with me. Let’s go outside”.
“No! I’m not leaving my sister ever again. I’m staying right here.” He again embraced Silas, who tried to suppress his rage and find a way to deal with the situation.
Suddenly, Emmett was pulled away by a couple of men who Silas recognized as acquaintances and deacons of the church. They physically manhandled Emmett, dragging him kicking and screaming from the auditorium, through the foyer and out to the parking lot. The building was silent. No one moved. No one spoke a word.
Finally, the pastor of the church spoke up. “Folks, sorry for the disturbance. It’s been taken care of. The gentleman is fine. He was just upset. Someone is driving him home. Please resume visiting with Silas and his family.” And so, they did.
The funeral the next day went as planned. Emmett did not show up, although some folks were certain they saw him standing in the distance, as the body of Silas’s beloved wife was laid to rest. A few of those told Katie, who kept the news to herself.
Over the coming weeks and years, Silas grieved for Eleanor. But his grief, and even his good memories were hampered by the events of that evening. He never wanted to see Emmett again. He would never forgive him.
Silas turned into his driveway, pressed the garage door opener, but didn’t pull into the garage. He stared straight ahead. “You gettin’ out or not?”
Emmett sighed, opened the passenger door and exited the car. He walked around the tall fence between their houses and disappeared from sight. Without even realizing it, Silas had watched him after he got out of the car, the anger still there, but he was also exhausted from the emotional drain of being around Emmett. Easing his car into the garage, he watched in his rear-view mirror as the door rolled down behind him. Getting out of the car, he flipped on the garage light, looked around and stepped inside his house to prepare a quick dinner. While he was eating a bowl of reheated stew, Katie called.
“Just checking in, Dad,” she said through the landline. She had suggested that he cancel it to avoid the monthly cost, and rely on his cell phone. But Silas was not ready to do that. Might not ever be ready.
“I’m fine, Katie.”
“You sound tired, or something. What’s up?”
He sighed. “Nothing.”
“Dad? You sound a little bummed out. Is everything OK?
Silas sighed. “Bummed is the right way to put it. Emmett bummed a ride home. I’ve never seen a guy so stubborn. I’ve told him a million times to leave me alone, but he can’t understand simple English. I should have said “no”. Don’t know why I didn’t.”
“Because you have a good heart, Dad.”
“Not where he’s concerned. I wish he’d sell that house and move to another neighborhood, or maybe even another country.”
“Dad.”
He knew what was coming. They’d had this conversation every time Emmett’s name came up.
“Dad, do you really want to live out your life with this bitterness and anger. It’s not healthy.”
“I’m not bitter. Just practical. And it hasn’t hurt me yet,” he replied.
“Oh, it has. More than you’ll admit. Dad, we were hurt by Uncle Emmett too. And we all had to forgive him. He has apologized over and over again. What more can he do? He’s different. He’s a Christian, and faithful in his church. He hasn’t had a drink in years. He’s done everything within his power to make things right. You just need...”
Silas cut her off. “It’ll never be right! He skipped out on your mom the entire time she was sick, and then shows up at the visitation drunk as a skunk! And I really don’t want to talk about it.”
“I know, Dad. I know.” Katie softened her tone. She tried a different approach. “But would you do me a favor? Would you pray about it?”
Silas was silent.
“I mean it, Dad. Mom would want you and Uncle Emmett to move past this. If you won’t do it for yourself, maybe do it for her. I know it’s hard. But would you maybe ask God for wisdom as to how to resolve this? Ask him to help you forgive Uncle Emmett?
More silence.
“Look, Bob and I will be there in a couple of weeks for Christmas. Your grandchildren and all their kids will be there too. I’m really burdened about this whole matter. I’m tired of making excuses to our kids, and to our grandchildren. They don’t understand why an uncle who lives next door never joins us for Christmas, or any other time for that matter.”
“No one asked you to make excuses. They know the reason why. Truth is, they probably would agree with me.”
Katie sighed. “Dad, I gotta go. But think about it please. And pray about it. That’s all I ask. I love you very much. Goodnight.”
“Good night. Love you too.” The phone went dead.
Silas’s night was restless. That had been the case for the past few weeks. He attributed it to the weather and the extra workload related to the Christmas season. Katie’s insistence also troubled him. Why couldn’t she understand?
The next week or so was pretty much normal for this time of year. Sales were good and Silas was enjoying his time at the store. His nights were still restless, but he wasn’t concerned. Probably just the stress of the season. Once the holidays were past, he’d slip back into his routine. And in a few days, the house would be filled with Katie and Bob, their three kids and spouses and a half-dozen of Katie’s grandchildren. He was excited. It was always good to see the house filled with the sounds and smells of Christmas. That’s one of the things he missed most. Eleanor had always made their house a welcome center for family, friends and even an occasional stranger in need. He wished he had her gift.
He remembered that one Christmas when the snow was really coming down, and all the kiddos were wishing they had sleds. Two hours later, Emmett knocked on the door with two of the finest wooden sleds he had ever seen! They were a beautiful red with shiny glides. What a time they had!
He shook his head as if to expel any fond thoughts of Emmett. He was the last person Silas wanted to think about. And, out of guilt he had prayed a simple prayer that night, so that he could tell Katie, in case she asked. It went something like, “Lord. You know how terrible Emmett is. So, I know you understand my feelings, even if no one else does. If I need to do anything different, I’m sure you’ll let me know.” There. It was done.
His mind was brought back to business when a young couple stepped up to the counter.
“Can I help you folks?”
“Yes. We’re looking for a sled. We’ve heard that snow is on the way, and we want our kids to be able to enjoy it.”
“Sorry, I don’t stock sleds.”
They thanked him and continued to look around for other gift ideas. But something began to gnaw at Silas. He wasn’t sure what, but something was in the back of his mind. Their request had tickled a cloudy place in his brain. What was he trying to remember? Aha!
“Folks?” He remembered. “Folks, hold on just a second.” They made their way back to the counter.
“I just might be able to help you out. Wait right here.”
He disappeared through a curtained doorway and came back a few minutes later with an old red wooden sled in his hands.
“This thing isn’t new. And I don’t know much about sleds. But it’s available if you want it.”
The husband took it from Silas, set it on the counter and looked it over. He nodded. “I think if I replace that steering rope, and maybe oil a couple of spots, it’ll work fine. How much?”
“No charge. It was a gift from an old friend. I’m glad to pass it along.”
The surprised couple grinned and thanked him profusely. Silas beamed with satisfaction from being able to help him out. “Well,” he said to himself. “Looks like something good came from Emmett after all. And I’m glad to be rid of it.”
Silas stayed a little later at the store that night, straightening things up and restocking shelves. He grabbed carryout on his way home and sat down to dinner when he saw the answering machine light flashing. It was Katie. “Hey, Dad. Just checking in. We’ll be there day after tomorrow. Probably late, so don’t cook dinner. We’ll grab something on the way. Can’t wait!”
Although he didn’t really need to, he called her. “Hey, Katie girl, sorry to bug you. Got your message. I just wanted to see if I need to pick up anything special at the market. I’ve already bought everything on the list you gave me.”
“I don’t think so. The stores will still be open on Christmas Eve. I’m sure we’ll need to add a few grocery items. Maybe some baking things. I’ll bring what I can, and we’ll pick up anything else we need when we get there.”
“Oh, while I have you on the phone. Strangest thing. You remember those two sleds that Emmett surprised you guys with back in the day?”
“Vaguely,” she replied. “That had to be what, 20 years ago? The kids were all still at home then.”
“Something like that. But anyway, this young couple came in looking for a sled. I don’t stock any, but I remembered those were in the back. So, I gave them one.”
“How cool is that? I’ll bet Uncle Emmett would love to know that. You gonna tell him?”
“Not likely.”
Katie sighed, but didn’t press him.
“Well, be sure to keep the other one. If we get the snow they’re predicting, I know a few kids and grandkids who would love to use it.”
After hanging up the phone, Silas read the paper, watched “Christmas with the Kranks” and headed off to bed.
The next day at the store was extremely busy, but Silas loved it. Everyone was in a good mood, excited that Christmas was only a few days away. He loved the hustle and bustle of last-minute shoppers, although he had never been one himself. Eleanor had made sure of that. She purchased Christmas gifts throughout the year. July, October, it didn’t matter to her. Anytime she saw something that she thought someone would enjoy, she picked it up. It was always the perfect gift. These days, he handed out envelopes with cash in them to the family. They seemed pleased, and it made his life so much simpler. Some of the younger ones wanted to spend their money at his store. So, he took them on Christmas day for a private shopping adventure, but never took their money. Only the stern stares of Katie and their parents stopped the younger ones from cleaning out the store!
After a brief midmorning lull, a young woman came in, looking for a gift for a friend. Silas offered his assistance and made several recommendations, but nothing seemed to suit her fancy.
“What can you tell me about your friend?” he asked. “That might give me an idea for some recommendations.”
The customer paused. “Well, she likes old things, or replicas of old things.”
“That’s helpful. Let’s look over here.”
“We’ve been friends since high school,” the young woman volunteered. And I really need the perfect gift, if there is such a thing. I just have to find something that she’ll like. I can’t mess this up.”
“Hmm,” said Silas softly. “Why so anxious?”
“Well, to be honest, I really did something bad. I betrayed her trust, and we haven’t spoken in weeks. Actually it’s been several months. And I just thought that Christmas might be a good time to ask her again for forgiveness. And, well you know, the right gift might make that easier.”
“Seems a little odd to me that you have to give a gift to get forgiveness. Let me get this straight. You’ve asked her for forgiveness, and she said…”
“She said she’d never forgive me. I know I messed up, but that just seems so wrong. With all the good times we had together, I don’t see why she can’t overlook one mistake. The Lord knows I’ve apologized over and over.”
Her words stung Silas. He tried to focus on helping the young woman, but his mind was elsewhere. Still, after a little while a gift was selected, and she was sent on her way with best wishes from Silas.
He made his way to the back, hoping to scarf down a sandwich before the lunchtime rush hit.
“That was interesting,” he said to himself.
Silas had barely finished his turkey sandwich when the heard the doorbell ring. It wasn’t a doorbell in today’s sense of the word. Rather, it was simply a little brass bell hanging by a string just inside the door. Silas wondered again why anyone would want an electronic doorbell when his old bell had worked flawlessly for years.
As he made his way to the front of the store, he saw an older gentleman. He was obviously younger than Silas, but still old by the world’s standards. And he was certainly younger than most of the customers who frequented his store.
“Can I help you sir?” he asked?
“Yes. I need a gift. Something really nice.
“Certainly. Who’s it for?
“My mother.”
“OK. Did you have anything in particular in mind?”
“Do you have any snow globes?”
“Well, yes. I still have a few. Let’s have a look.”
He led the customer to a shelf near the back of the store. “I keep these back here so the kids can’t knock them off the shelf. They’re breakable. I guess you know that.”
“Man, do I ever,” replied the customer, shaking his head.
“Sounds like you’ve had a little experience in that area.”
The gentleman sighed and nodded. “Yes, and my mother has never let me forget it. She brings it up every chance she gets, especially at Christmas.”
“Must have been a special snow globe”, said Silas.
“Yes, it was. It was this beautiful nativity scene. Of course it had snow when you shook it. And it had a music box that played “Silent Night”. It was a gift from her dad when she was a young girl. It meant everything to her. Goodness, it must have been seventy-five years old. And then one day when I brought a friend home from college for the holidays, we were horsing around and I knocked it off the shelf. It was a Christmas Eve, and she has held that against me ever since.”
‘Judging from your age, that seems like a mighty long time to hold a grudge.”
“Tell me about it,” replied the gentlemen. “I’ve told her over and over, Mom, it’s in the past. Let it go. But she can’t. I’ve found some very similar, but they’re not good enough. But I’ll try again this year. As a matter of fact, I’ll take this one. It’s not a nativity, but it’s a pretty little church.”
They took the small glove to the counter where Silas took the man’s money and began to carefully wrap the gift in tissue. He rummaged under the counter until he found the box the globe had come in and placed it gently inside.
“Gift wrap?” He asked.
“That would be great,” replied the customer.
Silas had a thought. “Sir.” He paused. “Would you mind if I wrote a short note to your mother and enclosed it with your gift? Maybe a word from an old man to an elderly lady?”
The gentleman shrugged and nodded his approval, and at Silas’s request, gave him his mother’s last name.
The note simply read, “Mrs. Stapleton. Your son selected this gift from my shop, hoping to please you. It’s none of my business, but I felt compelled to suggest to you that you not let the ghosts of the past continue to haunt you. What’s past is past. Your son loves you very much and needs you, maybe even more than you need him. He won’t see this note, and you can toss it in the trash and suggest that I mind my own business. I’ve been told that before. We all make mistakes, and this is a perfect season to offer forgiveness. Your son needs it and so do you. May the Lord bless you. Merry Christmas.”
Silas finished wrapping the gift, placed it inside a bag and handed it to the gentlemen who thanked him and went on his way. As the doorbell indicated his departure, Silas thought about what he had just done. It wasn’t like him to be so bold as to meddle in someone else’s personal affairs. It really wasn’t like him at all.
Silas walked to the back, still pondering his actions, and poured himself a cup of coffee. He was about to take a sip when he was surprised to see a young woman, probably in her thirties, standing near a collection of leather goods. He had not heard the bell ring, and he didn’t know how long she had been there. She was picking through the wallets, the folios and valets, smelling the leather and placing them back on the table.
“Good morning. I didn’t hear you come in. Got some really nice stuff there,” he said. Noticing the wedding ring on her finger, he added, “you couldn’t make a better choice for your husband.”
She nodded. “Yes, but it’s probably outside my price range.”
“Well, it’s hand-crafted leather, so it ain’t cheap. But it’ll last a lifetime.”
“Not sure I need anything to last that long, at least not now.” Silas sensed the tremble in her voice, and chose his words carefully.
“Well, you’re right. Not everything needs to last a lifetime. Some things need to be used and then replaced from time to time, especially if something better comes along. Of course, newer is not always better. But I try to sell stuff that will last, because some things are just worth keeping. These leather goods fit that category.”
She nodded silently.
Sensing a need to do so, Silas continued. “You know that I need to sell some of this stuff and Christmas is getting close. Not as much demand for these items after the holidays. And I sure hate to store them. Running out of room in the back. If you see something you like, I can offer you a nice discount, say forty percent?
She looked at him and smiled. “Really? I don’t know what to say. But thank you!”
Silas smiled at the young woman. “I’ll be at the register. Take your time. If you need any help, just let me know.”
The young customer came to the counter with a nice leather valet, a square bowl-like container for placing keys, change, wallets, and the like on one’s bedside each evening. Just a good way to know where you put your stuff.
“He’ll love this. He’s always losing things. That’s what’s started the whole argument.”
Silas raised his eyebrows to let her know he was willing to listen if she wanted to talk.
“What you said about some things being worth keeping. That’s exactly what he said to me last night when he stormed out of our bedroom to make his bed on the couch.”
“Go on.”
“Well, we’ve had a rough couple of months. It all started when he lost the keychain I gave him at our wedding. We’ve been married for twelve years, and he’s always cherished that keychain. It wasn’t an expensive gift, but it was all I could afford at the time. He seemed to cherish it. He always kept it with him. Then for some unexplained reason, he lost it. And everything has been downhill since then.”
“Because of a keychain?”
“I know, it sounds silly, but I was crushed when he told me. I said some things I probably shouldn’t have said. But it symbolized the most perfect day of my life, and he acted like it was only about the keychain. He couldn’t understand why I was so upset. Then he accused me of being petty. I don’t think it’s petty at all.”
Silas nodded.
“We’ve been struggling to get back on track, and it’s been hard. I mean, I really said some nasty things to him. But after he slept alone on the couch last night, I realized that we’re going down the wrong path. He’s done everything within his power to make this right. I guess I’ve just been a little too stubborn. I realize that now. So I need a peace offering.”
“No time like the present,” replied Silas. “Here, let me wrap this for you. You just look around while I do.”
As Silas laid the valet on the counter, he thought about how the past impact the present, and how the present shapes the future. Taking the liberty to do so, without asking permission, Silas took his pen and wrote a note on a small card, placing it inside the valet.
“Young man. You don’t know me, and I don’t mean to meddle. But your wife is giving you this really nice valet. It will last a lifetime if you take care of it. Not unlike a marriage. This valet will withstand some mistreatment, but that will eventually take a toll on it. A marriage is a lot like that. I think you know that, and I think your dear wife is learning that. Don’t let a negative spirit keep you from enjoying the present (not the present in the box, but the present time) for without the present, there won’t be a future. Enjoy your gift and cherish the one who gives it to you. Merry Christmas!”
Accepting her thanks for his kindness, Silas gave the woman her bag and watched her disappear through the door and down the sidewalk. He considered his actions with these customers and didn’t really know what to make of it.
Noticing the clock on the wall, Silas realized the day was getting away. Only an hour until he closed the shop. He felt an air of excitement creep in as he thought about Katie and the others arriving later that night. Then he heard it.
The door opened with such a force, Silas thought the bell had broken and fallen to the floor. He looked over from the counter and saw two women walking into the shop. Their expressions were anything but merry. The younger woman appeared to be in her late teens or early twenties. The older lady was somewhat older.
“Please listen to me,” said the older of the two women.
“Mother, please, there’s nothing else to say.”
“Sweetheart, you can’t throw away your future because of something so trivial!”
“Trivial? You can’t be serious.”
“OK. Trivial was the wrong word. But you’re acting like he broke off the engagement. And he didn’t.”
“No, I did! He said he wasn’t sure he wanted to marry me, so I helped him make a decision. I ended it!”
“Honey, what he said was that he was a little nervous and thought you should hold off on setting a date.”
“Same thing.”
“No, it’s not. He said he had no doubts about the marriage, but about whether you should wait until he had finished school.”
“Yeah, graduate school. That’s a whole extra year!”
“He loves you, and you know it.”
“He has a funny way of showing it.”
Silas looked on silently. Once the two had stopped arguing, he offered to help.
“Just looking,” said the daughter.
The mom spoke up. “We’re looking for a leather bag for a man in college.”
“I’m not looking for anything,” interrupted the daughter.
Silas, feeling the liberty to speak decided to wade in. After all, he had been giving unsolicited advice all day. Why stop now?
“Sounds like there’s trouble in Paradise.”
The young woman started to protest, but something about the old man’s gaze caused her to soften her tone and open up to him.
“My boyfriend and I had planned to marry next summer, after he graduates from college. Now he wants to wait until he completes graduate school and finds a good job. Since I graduate as well, I told him I could take a teaching job and we’ll be fine. But that wasn’t good enough for him. I simply told him if he didn’t trust my judgement, then how could we build a life together?
“Hmm. So, you want him to trust your judgement, but you don’t want to trust his. Am I understanding this correctly.”
The young woman stared at him, obviously caught off guard by his simple, but accurate logic.
“Let me share something with you,” he continued. “I was married to a wonderful women for more than forty years. We took a chance on love, without knowing what the future would hold. We had our share of troubles, but most of those years were good. If I could have seen the future and some of those struggles, I might have made some different decisions. But I couldn’t. There was no crystal ball.
“And I don’t know your future. Neither do you. But I can give you little glimpse into how it will be if you make a rash decision out of anger. Those decisions are usually bad decisions. And after one, the next gets easier. Before you know it, you’re just an angry old person, harboring resentment and bitterness.
“Let me make a suggestion. Go ahead and buy your fiancé…”
“Ex-fiancé,” she interrupted.
“Fair enough. Go ahead and buy him a gift. Just something small. And think it over. Maybe even pray about it. If you decide you don’t want to give it to him, then don’t. But make that decision with a clear mind, and not out of anger or hurt.”
She nodded, and walked away to look around.
“Thank you,” said the mother.
Silas nodded. As he walked to the counter, he knew that he was going to write another note. And he did. He enclosed it inside the leather bag the young woman purchased, but without her knowledge. It read as follows.
“Young man, I have no business writing to you. I’ve never met you and probably never will. But I have been told about your decision and have no right to say if it’s a good or bad decision. Sounds logical to me, but I don’t have all the facts. Maybe you and your fiancé need to make this decision together. But what do I know? I do know that we have a future of some kind. What we do today will determine much of that future, and if we don’t make good decisions today, the future is only a bad dream that may come true.”
The two women left the store, gift in hand, thanking Silas for his help. He locked the register, grabbed his coat, and made his way toward the door. Pausing for a brief quiet moment, Silas, who didn’t pray regularly any more asked, “Lord, are you trying to tell me something?” But he was talking to himself as much as to anyone else.
As he left the shop to head home, Silas noticed that the snow had arrived ahead of schedule. Everything was white. It was quite beautiful, and he thought about how everything looked fresh and bright under the cover of white. He drove slowly out of caution, but also because his mind was on the events of the day.
As he arrived home, he saw Emmett, snow shovel in hand walking down the sidewalk, as if not sure where to begin. Silas ignored him as best he could and parked his car in the garage. He turned off the engine and sat. And sat. And sat. With much on his mind and with a touch of melancholy, he finally made his way inside.
“Katie, Rob and the kids should be here in a couple of hours,” he thought. He wasn’t really hungry, and decided to wait until they arrived and share a snack or light dinner with them. He needed a cup of coffee to fight off the chill and keep him awake, so he turned on the new-fangled coffee maker that Katie had given him for his last birthday. He didn’t want her to know it had stayed in the box until yesterday. It had taken him over an hour to figure out how to use it. He still preferred his old Mr. Coffee, even though he had to microwave the coffee after pouring it. Old Mr. Coffee was just not as hot as he used to be.
After drinking two cups of the fresh brew, he emptied out the rest and put in fresh coffee for the next pot. They’d need it when Katie arrived. He was pretty sure she’d show up with baked goods and snacks in hand. It made him smile to think of how the house would smell tomorrow when she took over the kitchen and spent most of her day managing the Christmas Eve baking. The house will be full of laughter, fun and lots of food. The rest of the family would arrive tomorrow, and by Christmas day, the house would be full.
Silas had dozed briefly when he was jarred awake by the sound of the doorbell. He straightened the cushions and comforter on the couch and made his way to the door. When he opened it, he was surprised to see Katie and Bob, arms full of sacks, grinning broadly.
“You’re early!” beamed Silas.
“Yes!” laughed Katie. We got an earlier start and traffic was not bad at all.
Silas took the bags from Katie’s arm and set them on the kitchen table. He then hugged her warmly and gave her a peck on the cheek. He also gave Rob a big hug, but no peck.
“Anyone else with you?”
They’re coming tomorrow. Should be here by lunchtime, but it could be later in the day. You know how it is when you’re traveling with children,” replied Katie. “
“I do have some recollection of that. Of course, there was only you, and you were usually packed and ready to go before we were!”
Katie smiled. “But the good news is that no one has to leave until the 28th. So we’ll have a couple of extra days.”
They spent the next hour or so unloading the car, putting groceries in the refrigerator and pantry, then sat around laughing, talking and planning the Christmas Eve and Christmas day meals. Silas made a list of the things they might need to pick up at the grocery store tomorrow.
As they began to wind down the conversation, Katie asked Rob to take the suitcases upstairs, so that they could unpack and turn in for the evening.
“We need to get an early start tomorrow,” she said to both men.
Rob and Silas nodded their agreement.
The house was quiet as Katie lay awake, troubled by the ongoing feud between her dad and uncle. Every year she prayed for reconciliation, but nothing changed. As her dad got older with each passing Christmas, she wondered if there was any hope at all. She had this nagging fear that something would happen to Uncle Emmett and that her dad would never forgive himself for not resolving their differences.
She wasn’t sure how her dad would react if he knew that she continued each year to send her uncle a Christmas card, along with a “newsletter” detailing all the things that were going on with the family. He probably wouldn’t be happy about it, but Emmett was her mom’s brother and she wanted him in her life, as well as that of here children and grandchildren. She had even called him a couple of times in the past month, hoping to hear some news of progress with her dad. But none was forthcoming.
The rest of the crew arrived on Christmas Eve, just as planned. And surprisingly they were there by noon. The large gathering filled the house, not only with people, but with laughter and wonderful smells and lots of memories.
Some watched Christmas movies, while others played with puzzles or board games. The rest helped Katie with the baking. Silas was dispatched to the market to pick up extra butter and powdered sugar. Rob offered to go along, but Silas encouraged him to stay with the rest of the family. He assured them all that he would be back in a jiffy.
A couple of hours later, Katie asked if anyone had seen her dad.
“Come to think of it, no.” replied Rob. The others shook their heads, and went back to their activities.
“Would you call his cell phone, Rob?” asked Katie.
Rob nodded and placed the call.
“No answer. Just his voicemail. But I’m sure he’s fine. Probably went by to check on the store. This is the first Christmas Eve for that new helper. Probably wanted to be sure she had things under control.”
Katie nodded. Rob was probably right. She’d give him a little longer.
Thankfully, he showed up about a half hour later, butter in hand, along with several bags of chocolate drops and orange slice candy. Katie gave him a quick hug and nodded at the sack of goodies.
“Family tradition.”
“Always,” replied her dad.
She noticed her dad’s mood was light and playful. She hadn’t seen him this way the past few Christmases.
“What’s up dad?” she asked.
“I don’t know what you mean,” he smiled. It’s Christmas. I’m always a jolly old elf this time of year.“
Katies smiled and gave him another hug.
The rest of the day was uneventful. There was lots of snacking and a Christmas Eve meal of barbeque from a local restaurant. The serious eating would begin tomorrow morning with the annual Christmas breakfast and a mid-afternoon Christmas dinner. Of course, lots of gifts would be opened before breakfast, then napping by the adults while the kids played with their new toys.
Silas was helping Katie clear the table and finish the dishes when the phone rang. Silas jumped, then rushed to grab it. Katie watched him, wondering what could be so urgent that her Dad grabbed the phone before anyone else could. She looked at him quizzically, but he just waved her off.
He spoke into the phone. “Let me go to another room and call you back.”
He returned a few minutes later.
“Who was that, Dad?” she asked.
“Oh, just a potential new helper at the store. He just wanted to tie down a few details.”
“Why is he calling on Christmas Eve?”
Silas shrugged. “I think he wants to start day after tomorrow, which is fine by me”
“Well good. I hope he works out.”
“I’m sure he will.”
After the work in the kitchen was finished, Katie suggested the children head off to bed. “Christmas morning will be here in a few hours. And Santa doesn’t show up when kids are awake,” she warned. It was the same warning she had given for as long as she could remember. It was also the same warning she had heard from her mom throughout her childhood.
After the kids were in bed, the usual Christmas Eve activity ensued until everything was done that needed to be done. Then everyone was off to bed.
It was a silent night.
The next morning, Silas was up early, before anyone else in the house. He brewed the coffee and sat in silence until Katie joined him. She offered to get a head start on breakfast, but he encouraged her to sit.
It was only a few minutes before the pitter patter of footsteps could be heard from the bedrooms upstairs. It was almost 7:00. Thankfully the children had learned to gather at the top of the stairs until the parents gave the green light to attack the gifts under the trees as well as the stockings on the mantle.
When the “all clear” was sounded the rush was on. Gifts were distributed and opened. Any attempt at an orderly process gave way to flying paper and exclamations of surprise and much laughter. Silas and Katie tried to gather the discarded paper and put it in a garbage bag, but couldn’t keep pace with avalanche of gift wrap and bows.
It was a joyous morning.
“What was that?” asked Silas.
“I think it was the doorbell, Dad. I’ll get it.”
Katie waded through the boxes and wrappings and opened the door. She stood staring and speechless, unable to process the surreal event unfolding in front of her.
“Who is it?” asked Silas.
The visitor just raised his eyebrows and smiled.
“It, it, it’s Uncle Emmet” The words came out more as a warning and expression of concern. Any attempts to regain her composure were hampered by a concern of what might happen next. She could only stare at her uncle and then at her dad. And then at her uncle, and then at her dad.
“Well, don’t just stand there Katie. Invite him in. It’s cold outside”
By now, every adult in the room was frozen in silence and apprehension. They barely heard Silas response to Katie. One or two even stood to head off any physical encounter that might be about to take place.
Katie burst into tears. Emmett stepped inside and embraced her. “It’s all right, sweetheart. It’s all right.” She wrapped her arms around her uncle, unable to speak.
Everyone looked at Silas, who made his way to the door, placing an arm around Katie and his brother-in-law, who was also in tears.
After a few moments, the embraces were relaxed and Katie found her voice.
“Dad. I…I… I don’t understand.”
By now, Silas was fighting back tears and struggling to speak.
Emmett spoke. “Katie, your dad came to see me yesterday afternoon.”
Katie’s expression displayed her confusion. She turned to her dad. “While you were gone to the market?”
Silas nodded.
Emmett continued. “We shared a cup of coffee. First time in almost 15 years. It was good. I’m not going to share that conversation with you, other than to say it was an answer to a lot of prayers, and I’m so thankful to be here this morning. It’s still hard to talk about.”
By now, Silas was able to speak.
“Let’s just say that I had three visitors come to the store and I tried to help them out. What I didn’t know was that they were helping me. Maybe the good Lord sent them. I don’t know. But I do know that I couldn’t go on with the bitterness in my heart. I’m not a young man. Neither is Emmett. We’ve agreed to move forward together and try to finish well.
“I finally decided that if I was ever going to forgive and forget, this was the time. I figured that Christmas was the perfect time to remember why we celebrate as well as to forget what needs to be forgotten.
Emmett smiled. “When your dad and I spoke on the phone last night, he invited me over for dinner. Oh, and I have a few gifts still sitting on the steps. I had to do a little last minute shopping when I found out I was going to have breakfast with my family.”
“Dad, was that the phone call you took last night? You were pretty sneaky. What was that story about a new employee?”
“That was no story. That was the truth. Emmett is coming to work for me. He knows I need some help, and since we’re on speaking terms, he offered to help and I took him up on it.
Everyone else looked on as Katie sat speechless again. It was simply too overwhelming.
Silas seemed to sense the struggle everyone was having accepting this new reality.
“Katie, there’ll be plenty of time to fill you in later. For now I’m starved. Let’s get this breakfast started.”
“Of course,” Katie replied. “I completely forgot.”
“Understandable,” laughed Emmett. “Can I help?”
“You’d better,” answered Silas, “if you expect to eat.”
Katie began crying again.
“What’s wrong, Katie?” asked Uncle Emmett.
“It’s just the best Christmas ever. That’s all.”
Emmett hugged her again. “Can I ask a favor?”
“What’s that?” asked Katie.
“Would you let me make my special chocolate gravy recipe? It’s been a long time, but I know you always loved it, and I think I still know how.”
“Uncle Emmett,” I wouldn’t have it any other way.
She hugged her dad. “Merry Christmas, Dad.”
"Merry Christmas, Katie."