The Gift... of Solace.

This.... is a strange.... story.....

and, some... won't believe it....

but, it's true.

On Christmas Eve....

{Early...Early... Christmas Morning. }

after I had everything wrapped.... and tucked under The Tree....

After... I had sat...quietly... next to The Tree.... reflected....

and reminisced..... about John.... and our Christmas's...together.....

the Critters... by my side......

It...was late....

I went to let Polly out... for her last.... 'run'....

When...I opened the door....

I saw a Man... standing there.

well... not, just any Man...

it was my Dad.

He stood about 10 feet from me....

I...couldn't see his face....

but... like.... with anyone, you 'know'....

you can recognize their 'form'... even in a crowd....

Polly... whisked right past him....

he didn't flinch....

just stood there.....

his shoulders...lowered....

I could see the folds..... in his old coat.

He looked... tired.....somber.....

The way I remembered him.... the day, he stood outside a door....

with tears streaming down his face....

as he broke the news... my Beloved Horse....

had been struck by lightning....the night before... and was dead.
'heartbroken'....

oh my...

I stood there.... for a moment....

not... one bit.... afraid.

I...spoke.... straight to him....

and said...

"Come on in, Dad.... It's o.k. : )"

I called for Polly...

she and I walked inside.....

I didn't see Dad.... after that.

Dad.... didn't like Christmas.

He... Loved the Lord....

but... he'd always disappear Christmas morning.

He'd tell us... he was going to do chores.... or... had to work on an old Truck... or Tractor...

but... he'd be Home... by noon....

 : )

he never came Home... until late.
{Lord... Mom.... chewed him up..... about it....
: )
somehow... it never bothered me....
I...always knew.... he had his reasons. : ) }

I think... part of it... was his childhood... and being abandoned... by his parents, when he was 4.....

His Grandparents raised him, and his two brothers....

They struggled....

 Times... were tuff....

Part of it... was, I think.... too.... we never had money.... and... he felt bad, he couldn't do better....

 for his Family.

: )

Awww..... but he did.

: )

He gave us... so Much More... than a few gifts... under a tree....

one morning in December.

He loved us... Unconditionally... every day... of his life.

: )

That's... Priceless.....

I... hope... he followed me and Polly... inside.

I...hope... he was with us.... his Grandchildren... and Great Grandchildren....

for Christmas. : )

It was a ruff start... for us..... but.... it was such a Beautiful Day.

One.... I'll never take for granted.

: )

I, don't know how I can write about this.... so 'matter of factly'....

One would think.... I'd be... in awe....

{including, myself.}

but...

I, really wasn't surprised... for some reason.

I, have never seen Dad.... like this, before....

only years ago...in my dreams.

Though...the encounter... had a very...... heavy...and somber tone....

one, we both share....

there was also... a mutual feeling.... of.....

Solace.

It...was a Gift....

Love...to ya....

Barb C.