Open Writing

Alice is a unique little personality. Her mother, Jo, had always wanted a sweet little girl to dress in pretty princess outfits. When first Joseph, then Tom, and afterwards Luke, arrived, Jo’s dream of having a daughter seemed to be receding into the distance shrouded in the disappointment that only a soul with cherished but unfulfilled longings can truly appreciate.

Jo’s tiny blonde-haired, periwinkle-eyed baby grew into a toddler with a meltingly sweet smile. She was blessed with charm sufficient to lull the most suspicious person into trusting her implicitly. She was the answer to all her mother’s dreams of a little girl of her own.

Alice came with no sense of fear or danger, - an attribute that has turned some parents prematurely grey - an advanced spirit of inquiry, and an unquenchable vitality. It would not be fair to say that Alice was moody. Her moods were, however, unpredictable. This kid was no pushover.

Now in her sixth year, Alice has, at varying times, exasperated her older brothers, charmed her schoolteachers, rendered unwary strangers speechless, and wormed her way into the affections of those wise beings who can live with the idea that not all little girls are "made of sugar and spice and all things nice, all of the time!"

With her personality, Alice would probably do well in politics or law, but for the moment, she is concerned with the imminent future. Still lovely and innocent enough to believe in and anticipate the coming of Father Christmas, the bringer of good things to good boys and girls, and having been made aware of the penalty for non-compliance, Alice has made a unilateral and independent pre-emptive strike for understanding, tolerance, forgiveness, and generosity.

Noting, with more than usual surprise at Alice’s doings, that she had made a "Good Chart" for herself, and was filling in her "Good Days," Jo smiled, and a good feeling settled into her heart for her pleasing little girl. Hardly had the glow of this revelation spread than Jo spied a letter written in Alice’s hand.

Dear Santa Claus,

I have been a bad girl sometimes.

But I feel the Spirit of Christmas

I would like you to come.

Alice.


Alice’s mother sat on the little bed in her daughter’s room surrounded by the images of angels arranged to inspire Alice to be one, and into her already full heart swept more love for her precious child than words can tell.

Alice knows very well what Christmas is about. She knows that it is more that just a time to give and receive gifts. But, whatever gifts are exchanged in that happy home in Ironstone Close, Jo received her greatest gift from her loving, energetic, and, at times, troublesome, angel-daughter, Alice when she read, "I feel the Spirit of Christmas."

Father Christmas is certain to call into Alice’s angel-themed bedroom on Christmas Eve and leave his Christmas gifts. What is more certain is that the Spirit of Christmas will also be present.

"Merry Christmas, Alice."

Tiny Tim didn’t say, "God send you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year," but he ought to have done.

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Copyright © 2005
Ronnie Bray
All Rights Reserved

Read more of Ronnie's stories at:

http://www.2theheart.com/author_ronnie_bray
http://www.meridianmagazine.com/voices/011024summer.html