An Unexpected gift from a secret Santa arrived

AN UNEXPECTED GIFT FROM A SECRET SANTA ARRIVED

An unexpected gift from a secret Sant arrived. Snow is covering the trees and cobblestone walkway. Cardinals fluttering around as if they are playing a game of tag with one another, chirping as they fly. Boot prints in the snow lead to the wooden steps of the cabin. A small red box wrapped in a gold ribbon sits at the door. Waiting for a special woman to open. A woman he could never forget.

You see… Earl was too afraid to tell her ‘I love you.’ The first time he saw her was in high school. She was running down the hall, late for practice. He can still remember her rose scented perfume as she passed by him. She was wearing her white cheerleading uniform that made her eyes shine as bright as the Mediterranean Sea. Large white pom-poms in each hand. As she ran passed him she gave a him a smile. The way she smiled at him made him feel loved. Her kind soul spread to everyone she interacted with in life. She was the love of his life. Unfortunately for Earl, she was in love with Charles. Her high school sweetheart. They married young and had a family together. Three children and five grandchildren. Earl, too, carried on with his life and had two children. With two failed marriages he decided to stay single.

Many decades later her husband had passed. Earl went to the funeral to pay his respects and let her know that he was there for her if she ever needed him. Deeply saddened by grief she felt reclusive. Life wasn’t the same without her husband. She took the time to heal her heart and was never sure if she would love again. Their marriage had been tough. Charles developed a drinking habit that lasted until his death. Her pain was a deep wound that took a community to help heal. It was a wound that needed precise surgery. After years of healing she felt ready for her own life to start. A new beginning with a fresh start at happiness.

She did reach out to Earl, but by this time 10 years had passed… they were much older now. Earl still kept the same phone number, in case she ever did need him one day. He waited for her so patiently and lovingly. He prayed one day he would be able to tell her ‘I love you.’ When she called Earl’s phone there was no answer. She left him a message asking him to please call her back, she wanted to see him. Several hours passed before her phone call was returned. It was Earl’s son.

Earl has been living in a home as a patient with Alzheimer’s for three months. His children had families in another state and were unable to take proper care of him. His driver’s license had been revoked and he needed extra care for his safety. Everyday his routine was to dress in his blue Wrangler jeans, brown Roper leather cowboy boots, a flannel snap button shirt and his cowboy Stetson hat. Earl liked to dress sharp and smell good. His cologne could be smelled from a mile away. He enjoyed his morning coffee and watched his westerns on television. His long term memory and short term memory had declined drastically. Some days were difficult, not remembering where he was or why he couldn’t leave in his truck or even not remembering his children’s names and faces became overwhelming at times. He felt like he was in a strange world and didn’t know how to get out. On his good days he enjoyed his routine and stayed content in his condo.

When she came to visit Earl, she could still see that same boy from high school. Her smile stretched across her face just as it did the moment he fell in love with her. She sat at the breakfast table with him as he read the paper. As he looked up their eyes met. His gray eyes still sparkled just as she remembered. His brows raised up in excitement but soon faded into confusion. Her smiled faded too. She realized he had forgotten her. Her heart felt an ache, sadness and empathy flooded over her. She touched his hand and he pulled away. Confused as what to do next she told Earl goodbye. Her voice filled with love and understanding, but also heartache. She had only seen small glimpses of him through their lives and here he sat having no memory of her. Guilt crowded in. She felt as though she had come to him sooner. She felt in her heart love for Earl. She loved him too but it was too late.

Christmas Day in the cabin, family and presents surround the living room. Children, grand children, even great grandchildren all exchanging gifts, laughter, and love. A knock at the door alerts everyone. Looking confused at one another as to who it could be only one stands up to open the front door. As the door opens they see a small red box sitting in front of the door. Wrapped in a gold ribbon. The tag reads “Neta.” One of the grandchildren shouts “Grandma, it’s for you!”

Neta got up from her chair and slowly walked to the door. She pulled the gold ribbon off and opened the lid of the box. Inside was a white gold emerald cut diamond ring with an inscription written inside the band that said… ‘I Love You.’ Neta cried as she placed the ring on her finger. She gently kissed the ring and whispered “I love you too, Earl.” The two cardinals flew onto the porch looking out toward the boot prints in the snow. Neta looked out to see if she could catch a glimpse of him but there was no one in sight. The phone rings… she turns back inside to answer it. It’s Earl’s son. Earl passed away Christmas morning peacefully in his sleep. The end.