Friday, December 11, 2009

SANTA CLAUS AND A GIRL NAMED HOLLY





I LOVE YOU MY AMY BUTTERFLY. I MISS YOU VERY MUCH.
I KNOW JESUS HAS YOU VERY BUSY AND I KNOW YOU ARE HAPPY.









THIS IS ONE OF MY STORIES THAT I WOULD JUST MAKE UP AND AMUSE
MYSELF...SOMETIMES I WOULD TELL THE KIDS MY STORY AND SOMETIMES I
JUST PUT THEM AWAY IN MY "DRAWER OF DREAMS." EVERYONE KNOWS THAT
MOST WRITERS ARE NEVER REALLY DISCOVERED UNTIL THEY DIE AND SOMEONE
DIGGING THROUGH THE JUNK DEEMED, "NO VALUE" BEGINS TO READ SOME OF
THE PAGES...........................THIS IS A REAL STORY, I WROTE, AND IS IN MY
"DRAWER OF DREAMS."
SANTA CLAUS KEPT A SECRET DEEP WITHIN HIS HEART. IT WAS PACKED SO
DEEP THAT HIS HEART WOULD SURELY EXPLODE IF HE WAS TO DWELL ON
IT FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME.
IT WAS NOT EASY FOR HIM TO PUT ON THAT RED SUIT EVERY DAY.
HIS ABDOMINAL GIRTH HAD BECOME SO LARGE HE LOOKED LIKE A SUMO
WRESTLER AS HE TRIED IN VAIN TO PULL ON HIS BLACK BOOTS. BY THE TIME HE
HAD FINISHED HE DID NOT NEED TO BLUSH HIS CHEEKS. HIS FACE LOOKED
LIKE IT HAD BEEN DIPPED IN CHERRY JELLO BEFORE IT HAD JELLED.
SANTA AKA JOSEPH MARTIN LOVED BECOMING SANTA CLAUS EVERY YEAR.
HE ENJOYED ALL THE CHILDREN WHETHER THEY WERE SCREAMING OR
LAUGHING, CRYING OR SMILING, SELFISH OR SAD.
JOSEPH MARTIN WAS RETIRED FROM THE POLICE FORCE. HE LIVED ALONE IN
A CABIN THAT OVER LOOKED TABLE ROCK LAKE. HE LIVED ALONE BY CHOICE.
THIRTY YEARS ON THE FORCE MADE HIM JUMPY.
ON HIS DESK WAS A 5 X 7 WEATHERED PICTURE THAT HAD THE NAME
HOLLY WRITTEN IN PENCIL. MANY A FRIEND THAT HAD BEEN WELCOMED
INTO JOSEPH'S CABIN SAW THE PICTURE AND WHEN THEY STARTED TO
ASK, HE BEAT THEM TO THE QUESTION, AND SAID,
"IT IS PERSONAL. DON'T ASK ME AGAIN."
RUMORS SWIRLED FOR YEARS AMONG HIS FRIENDS, AS TO WHO HOLLY
WAS.....A LONG AGO LOVER...A RELATIVE...AN EX-WIFE...SOMEONE HE
SAVED ON THE FORCE. SHE WAS TOO BEAUTIFUL TO BE ON THE BAD
SIDE OF THE LAW AND THEY KNEW JOSEPH WOULD NOT KEEP THE
PICTURE OF A CROOK ON HIS DESK WHERE HE WOULD HAVE TO LOOK
AT HER DAY AFTER DAY FOR THE REST OF HIS RETIRED LIFE.
THIS YEAR SANTA CLAUS WAS STATIONED INSIDE A LITTLE RED BARN
THAT RESEMBLED A SMALL TOY SHOP. IT WAS VERY STUFFY.
THE BIG CLOCK READ 8:55 PM AND SANTA WOULD BE CLOSING HIS
TOY SHOP IN 5 MINUTES. SANTA DID NOT HAVE A CHOICE WITH ALL THE
COMPANY RULES...CLOCKING IN AND CLOCKING OUT AND THEY STRESSED THEY
WOULD NOT PAY HIM A MINUTE BEFORE OR A MINUTE AFTER HIS SHIFT. THE
COMPANY DID NOT TAKE THEIR ORDERS FROM THE NORTH POLE WHERE
ETHICS AND QUALITY "ALWAYS" MEAN SOMETHING.
HIS MOTHER ALWAYS TOLD HIM, "ONLY THE ONES THAT TRULY BELIEVE
IN SANTA CLAUS SEE THE MAGIC OF THE MIRACLE."
A MIRACLE...THAT IS WHAT HE SO WANTED FOR CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR.
HE WAITED AND WAITED...LOOKED AND LOOKED...WATCHED ALL THE FACES
OF THE CHILDREN AND LOOKED AT THE PARENTS...WISHING...HOPING
YEAR AFTER YEAR......HE DID NOT SEE THE MAGIC OF THE MIRACLE.
HE TURNED AROUND, WHEN HE HEARD A SWEET VOICE COMING FROM
THE DOOR. "EXCUSE ME SANTA CLAUS," SHE GIGGLED. "I WAS WONDERING IF
YOU COULD HELP ME."
JOSEPH GRABBED HIS CHEST AND BEGGED THE PAIN TO LEAVE. "NOT NOW,"
HE TOLD HIMSELF. HE SO WANTED TO REACH OUT TO THIS BEAUTIFUL GIRL........










"SIR! ARE YOU OKAY?" OH MY GOODNESS. YOU ARE PERSPIRING SIR.
I READ ABOUT THIS IN MY MEDICAL BOOKS, CHAPTER SIX ON THE HEART. JOSEPH
FELT HE HAD SURELY DIED AND
WAS STARING AT AN ANGEL. SHE SCREAMED FOR HELP AND WAS HEARD
BY SOME FRIENDS OF JOSEPH.
AS THEY ENTERED THE TOY SHOP, BEACON, A GOOD FRIEND, SAID,
"RELAX JOSEPH. THE AMBULANCE IS ON ITS' WAY.
THE PRETTY LADY FELT UNEASY AS BEACON STARED AT HER.
FINALLY SHE SAID, "SIR, DO I KNOW YOU?" BEACON CLEARED HIS
THROAT AND IN A LOW VOICE SAID, "YOU LOOK SO FAMILIAR." HE KNEW
SHE LOOKED MORE THAN FAMILIAR....SHE WAS THE SPITTING IMAGE OF
THE GIRL IN THE PICTURE THAT JOSEPH KEPT ON HIS DESK THAT HAD
THE NAME HOLLY WRITTEN ON THE BACK .
THE AMBULANCE ARRIVED AND THEY WERE HAVING A TIME GETTING
JOSEPH ONTO THE GURNEY.
BEACON AND THIS GIRL WATCHED AS THE AMBULANCE SPED OFF WITH
JOSEPH. NOW BEACON COULD CONCENTRATE FULLY ON HOW SHE LOOKED.
"WERE YOU TALKING TO JOSEPH ABOUT SOMETHING?" HE ASKED THIS
HAUNTINGLY BEAUTIFUL YOUNG LADY.
SHE SET DOWN ON A CHAIR AND TOOK OFF HER WHITE HAT ADORNED
WITH BEAUTIFUL GREEN HOLLY LEAVES AND VIBRANT RED BERRIES.
"WELL SIR," SHE BEGAN, "I AM LOOKING FOR A SANTA CLAUS
NAMED JOSEPH MARTIN." "JOSEPH MARTIN," BEACON STUTTERED,
"WHO IS JOSEPH MARTIN TO YOU AND WHAT BUSINESS DO YOU
HAVE WITH HIM?" "DO YOU KNOW HIM," HER VOICE HIT HIGH NOTES
AS IF IT WAS VERY IMPORTANT TO HER.
"WAIT JUST A MINUTE! YOU JUST CALLED THAT SANTA CLAUS JOSEPH
AND YOU HAVE BEEN STARIN' AT ME MIGHT-A-LY FUNNY," HER VOICE
HUMMED. "IT IS SO VERY IMPORTANT TO ME TO FIND JOSEPH MARTIN."
SHE BEGAN TO CRY AND TOLD BEACON THE MOST AMAZING STORY.
BEACON SAID, "WELL WHAT ARE WE WAITIN' FOR. LET'S GET TO THE HOSPITAL
AND CHECK ON JOSEPH."
BY THE TIME THEY ARRIVED AT THE HOSPITAL JOSEPH WAS IN SURGERY.
IT TURNED OUT TO BE HIS GALLBLADDER AND NOT HIS HEART.
THE DR. CAME OUT AND REPORTED THAT THE SURGERY WENT WELL BUT
SANTA CLAUS WAS GOING TO HAVE TO CHANGE HIS WAY OF EATING.
HOLLY WALKED SLOWLY TO HIS BEDSIDE. BOTH HAD WAITED A LIFE
TIME IT SEEMED FOR JUST THIS MOMENT.
"MOTHER DIED 5 YEARS AGO OF PNEUMONIA. SHE TOLD ME I DIDN'T HAVE
A FATHER. SHE SAID MY FATHER DIED IN THE WAR.
HOLLY SMILED AT HOW DEEP BLUE JOSEPH'S EYES WERE AND THEY
TWINKLED LIKE THE STARS IN THE SKY...SO FULL OF KINDNESS.
I ALWAYS LIKED TO PLAY IN HER CLOSET AND ONE EVENING, WHEN I
WAS 10 YEARS OLD AND SHE WENT OUT, I FOUND A BOX. IT HAD MY
BIRTH CERTIFICATE, PASSPORT AND SOME LETTERS THAT HAD BEEN
SENT TO HER BY YOU. I BEGGED MAWMA TO TELL ME THE TRUTH.
SHE TOLD ME SHE WOULD BUT THAT I MUST KEEP IT A SECRET OR MOTHER
WOULD MOVE ME AWAY FROM HER.
"IT TURNS OUT SANTA CLAUS, AKA JOSEPH MARTIN AKA FATHER I KNOW
THE TRUTH. I WAS YOUR ONLY CHILD AND MOTHER WAS WICKED TO YOU. SHE
ESCAPED WITH ME AND MAWMA TO ITALY AS SHE KNEW YOU WOULD FIGHT
FOR FULL CUSTODY OR AT LEAST JOINT. HOW SAD IT IS FATHER THAT
SHE WOULD KEEP ME FROM THE LOVE OF A FATHER TO HURT YOU. IT
HURT US BOTH. SO MANY YEARS WE CAN'T GET BACK AND ALL THOSE TIMES
WE WERE CONSTANTLY MOVING AND I WAS HAVING TO ATTEND ONE DIFFERENT
SCHOOL AFTER ANOTHER."
"OH BUT HOLLY, WE HAVE GOTTEN OUR CHRISTMAS MIRACLE. WE WILL
SPEND THE REST OF OUR LIFE CATCHING UP AND MAKING NEW MEMORIES."
IT WAS THE DAY AFTER JOSEPHS' FUNERAL AND BEACON TOOK HOLLY
TO JOSEPH'S CABIN. SHE CRIED AS SHE REMEMBERED HIM THROWING HIS
HEAD BACK AND HIS EKG STRAIGHT LINING JUST 15 MINUTES AFTER
TELLING HER THEY WOULD SPEND A LIFETIME CATCHING UP. THE DOCTOR
SAID A BLOOD CLOT HIT HIS LUNGS. HOLLY KNEW ALL TO WELL THAT LIFE
COULD BE SO VERY CRUEL.
BEACON AND HOLLY WERE MARRIED THAT FOLLOWING SPRING.
THEY ARE NOW EXPECTING A LITTLE JOSEPH AND THEY KNOW JOSEPH MARTIN
AKA SANTA CLAUS AKA FATHER AKA GRANDFATHER WAS WATCHING OVER THEM.
~Debbie Ragan
2009















THE FAMILY THAT PRAYS TOGETHER STAYS TOGETHER.


LET US TAKE THE TIME TO PRAY FOR ALL THE HUSBANDS' AND FATHERS'.
MAY THEY TAKE THEIR RIGHTFUL PLACE AS PRIESTS OF THE FAMILY AND
SET AN HOLY EXAMPLE FOR THEIR SONS AND SET THE EXAMPLE TO THEIR
DAUGHTERS AS THE TYPE OF RIGHTEOUS MAN THEY WILL MARRY...TO
KNOW THEY ARE PRINCESSES AND TO NOT SETTLE FOR ANYONE BUT A
MAN WHO LOVES THE LORD...AND WANTS TO SERVE HIM.
WE JUST PRAISE YOU LORD AS YOU ARE WORTHY TO BE PRAISED.
WE THANK YOU FOR MANY MIRACLES, THIS SEASON OF YOUR BIRTH,
WHICH WAS A MIRACLE. THANK YOU FATHER GOD FOR LOVING ME
AND PIECING THE SHATTERED PARTS OF MY HEART BACK TOGETHER.
DON'T KNIT THEM SO TIGHT THAT YOUR LOVE CANNOT SHINE OUT
BECAUSE I WANT TO REMEMBER TO LIVE MY LIFE EVERY DAY AT
YOUR FEET LORD. BLESS EACH PERSON LORD THAT FOLLOWS THIS BLOG
AND ALL THE PEOPLE YOU WILL SEND THIS WAY. LET THIS LITTLE
BLOG, ALWAYS BE A PLACE THAT PEOPLE KNOW THEY CAN COME FOR
PRAYER. I FALL SHORT EVERY DAY LORD AND I CAN'T THANK YOU
ENOUGH FOR PICKING ME BACK UP. WILL YOU REMIND AMY HOW MUCH
WE LOVE HER. IT CAN'T EVEN COMPARE TO THE LOVE YOU HAVE FOR HER
DEAR JESUS, BUT YOU INSTILLED IN US THE LOVE FOR HER AND OUR SON.
AMEN AND AMEN

















ANGEL HUGS




THANK YOU AS ALWAYS FOR SPENDING A PART OF YOUR DAY WITH ME.


I LOVE AND APPRECIATE EACH ONE OF YOU.












25 comments:

  1. Hi Debbie, I loved that story....My husband was in a very similar situation and it didn't turn out like your story but maybe one day it will. I hope you show us more of your writings, I really enjoyed reading it....Hugs and prayers, Jennifer

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  2. Dear Debbie,
    Merry Christmas!
    Keep writing and one day get published.

    May God continue to touch your heart,
    d from HomeHaven

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  3. Thank you for sharing your story, Debbie. That was very sweet. I'm glad that Holly found her father and that she married Beacon.

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  4. Debbie, this will be a sad holiday for you and your family....words cannot help nor can they express how I feel for all of you. Take care my friend and know Amy is having a beautiful Christmas and would want you to as well.
    Always in my heart and prayers.....:-) Hugs

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  5. Very sweet!! Thanks for sharing!
    Hugs and prayers, Lisa

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  6. Oh Debbie, your story had me on the edge of my seat! I had no idea you were a writer, but I should have known by your blog posts! Like a real happening, it had happy and sad mixed in it...I think you could get published!!!

    Hang in there...I know it must be so very hard...

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  7. Beautiful story! Sad and joyful at the same time.

    And such a beautiful prayer.
    God Bless you.
    All the best,
    Eileen

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  8. Morning Dear Deb, Beautiful story, how sad but true in many cases across this country. Many parents try to punish each other with the children.
    Hope this finds you and Richard doing better and looking forward to Christmas, knowing the sweet Amy is celebrating with Jesus, the real reason for this most holy of days.
    I will send you an email about Sharon.....

    Love,
    Barbara

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  9. Dear Debbie,
    I loved your story. Your blog always blesses so many people. Thank you for being you.

    Blessings,

    Karen

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  10. Debbie, I'm in tears reading your story and also thinking about what a sad holiday this will be for you this year. Wonderful story. I'm saying prayers for you. laurie

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  11. What a beautiful story. It brought joy to my heart and then tears to my eyes. Thank you for giving us the happy ending, too.

    What a difficult time of year for you. I didn't want Christmas the year my brother died ... but it came anyway, and was one of the most happy/sad/poignant memories I have. God bless you, my dear. My prayers are with you.

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  12. What a beautiful story. I loved it. sandie

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  13. Debbie.. I love visiting your blog because every word is written from the heart... Have I ever told you that I too am an Angel collector?

    Thanks for visiting, commenting, following and/or blogging about my 300th post giveaway! Good Luck!

    Blessing. Dixie

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  14. Debbie how I have missed our emails. So happy I stopped by here tonight to check on you. I don't know what to say about this story other than I loved reading it and it kept me interested and wanting to read more all the way through. You my Debbie can write. I want to read more of your stories and thanks for sharing this one. Very touching.
    Maggie

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  15. Hi Debbie - I'm so glad you visited me today. Your daughter is beautiful. May you and your family feel the presence of God every minute of this first Christmas without her.

    Blessings,
    Tee

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  16. Oh! Debbie,
    What can I say?
    God has so gifted you with being able to put your thoughts on paper. I was so touched by this story, and your challenge to Fathers is so timely.
    I am so glad you are writing again. I know that He is piecing your broken heart back together, and for that I am most thankful.
    You are always in my thoughts and prayers, and I would so love for you to come and visit with me, we would have the best of time together talking and sharing.
    As always I leave here uplifted and blessed.
    Hugs, and Blessings,
    Sue

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  17. Dear Debbie,
    Thank you for your beautiful and touching story. As I was reading your lovely story the thought popped into my mind that God gave you the gift of writing as a way for you to express yourself from your broken heart in such a loving way as to touch others hearts with love and joy and in doing so your heart will slowly start to mend. . and as it mends God will fill your heart with joy this Christmas season in knowing that your Angel Amy is celebrating Jesus's birthday wtih him in heaven.

    I feel blessed in having known Amy for the short time I knew her and blessed that you have stayed in touch with me. May God hold you and your family close during your first Christmas without Amy and may you find joy in memories.
    Love,
    Erin and Bentley

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  18. Hi Debbie, it,s cottonreel,lovely of you to drop by, your blog has given me much thought .I do like visiting you .
    To follow me you just click on my blog where it says follow.
    Bless you, Kathleen Solomi

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  19. I've been thinking about you this Christmas Season, knowing this is your first one being separated from your dear daughter. I pray that you will find peace and even joy in the true meaning of the Season and that the love of Christ will strengthen and fortify you.

    I am losing a loved one to cancer this season. We were just out to say our good-byes and I am waiting by the phone everyday to hear when he will be gone.

    We will see them again, but this life and the separation can seem like an eternity. May you feel your Amy near and may you feel her JOY. Those two blessings make life away from her more possible.

    God bless you in your days, now and always!
    Elizabeth

    I love your blog!

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  20. HELLO MY FRIENDS.....
    I RECEIVED A COMMENT FROM ROSE....I CLICKED THE PUBLISH BUTTON BUT IT DISAPPEARED. I DON'T KNOW WHICH ROSE COMMENTED BUT PLEASE WRITE ME AGAIN AND I WANT TO TALK WITH YOU ABOUT YOUR DAUGHTER.
    THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH
    ANGEL HUGS
    DEBBIE

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  21. Debbie,
    Thank you so much for following arise 2 write. You, too have a wonderful blog. I have joined to follow and look forward to getting to know you. Like you, we have a zoo at our house. I have 4 dogs (3 of them therapy dogs) and two cats. They all live inside, too. You may want to check out my other blog. I write in the voice of one of my therapy dogs. He usually talks about visits in the hospitals and nursing homes, etc.
    I am sorry for your earthly loss. I know it was most certainly heaven's gain and GOD is using you to touch the lives of so many.
    Blessings, hugs, and prayers, andrea

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  22. Hi Debbie, I SO enjoy your blog. You have so much talent. I hope that you can get some of your writing published someday. Loved today's story. I even read through it twice.

    I know that this Christmas will be hard for you and family, not because Amy is with Jesus (which is a good thing), but because you all miss her so much.

    My love and prayers go with you and yours during this blessed season. Merry Christmas.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  23. Hugs, Debbie. How are you? I think of you and Amy often. God Bless.
    Sandra

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debbie