Christmas Story

 This is what I said to my little (kitty) boy...

Dearest Flyser! ... yes, it's "that time again", but you know, Little One, it should be "that time" all the time, all year long. Yes, Sandy Claws will be coming, and he brings goodies to all the goods kiddens. But it's harder on the kiddens what's don'ts gots a mommy or daddy a loves them. So, maybe you could think real hard, and ask that Sandy Claws and the Man he reports to, to watch extra carefully over the homeless kiddens.

     Remember the box I have? (pulls box out of the pile of things that have come in from the garage), you know, the one with the animals and the people in it? Well, it's time for that, too.  Here (makes soft spot for Flyser! on bathrobe skirt), you can help me. Your nephews have never seen this box before. Would you like to help me tell them the Story? (takes lid off box) ...

      Let's see ... A long time ago, when a man called Herod was the king of Judea, God sent one of his angels (pulls an angel out of the box, and a figure of a young girl) to a young lady named Mary.  The angel gave Mary a message, that she was going to have a Baby. Not just any baby, but GOD's Baby.    Mary didn't quite understand how this could be, because she wasn't even married, but the angel told her not to worry about it, God would take care of everything. He always *does* you know ... (rubs kitty ears). Mary told her boyfriend Joseph all about this, but she really had nothing to worry about (pulls a young man figure out of the box) because that same angel had also visited with *him* and told him that it would all be okay, and that he should marry Mary right away. Which he did.

      They had to go to Bethlehem to pay their taxes, and by that time it was pretty cold out (puts white cotton for snow around the wooden barn).  Mary and Joseph arrived in town late at night, and couldn't find any hotel rooms. But one nice man said they could sleep in the barn with the animals (takes out cow, donkey, and some sheep, puts them in the barn). And sometime in the night, God's Son was born (mama unwraps Baby), and because Mary didn't have anywhere ELSE to put Him, she wrapped him up nice and warm, and put him in the cow's food dish. The cow didn't seem to mind, and the other animals huddled close to provide more warmth.

      Now, off on the hillside outside of town there were other men called shepherds, who were taking care of their sheep. It was a lot of work to watch out for the sheep, because there were 'yoties, and wolves, and other things that would attack the sheep at night if someone wasn't paying attention. There was a dog, too, running about, keeping the sheep all bunched together (unwraps sheep, dog, shepherds, puts them along the side of the fireplace mantle, where the "hillside" should be).

  Remember that angel? (pulls angel from under Flyser!’s paw) ... well, he came back again, and this time he visited with the shepherds. He told them not to be afraid, but to go right away into town, and go to see the new Baby that was in the barn, sleeping in the cow's food dish. The angel explained that this Baby was to be the Saviour, Christ the Lord.  (Mama moves some of the shepherds and a few sheep toward the barn.)

     Can you remember what happens next? (Flyser! noses in the box and paws at a large, lumpy figure). That's right, sweetheart, (kisses he widdle nose), there were three very wise men, kings of other countries, who had heard about all this, and had seen the star in the East that told them this had come to be. They got on their camels, and headed off to Bethlehem to see for themselves. They had presents, too. One had Gold, signifying the wealth and riches due to a king; the second was frankincense, which is stuff that gets burned and makes smoke ... some people believe that one's prayers go to heaven, carried along on the smoke; and the third was myrrh, which was a very costly ointment used when great kings were buried.  All three of these gifts represented things that would happen someday.

     (Mama finishes putting all the figures beside the barn, Flyser paws at one small bundle still in the box. With a soft chuckle, mama continues ...)

      Ah! You remembered! Yes, that is "Sandy Claws". And see, he's kneeling at the Baby's side, as He sleeps in the cow's food dish!  That's to remind you of the story of how many, many years later, Santa was trying to get all the toys ready for the Big Ride. But he'd slipped on some ice, and broke his leg. He was all upset, when there came a knock at the door. When Mrs. C opened the door, there was a young boy, who said he'd come to help out if he could, that his dad had been a carpenter, and that's he'd learned a lot from his dad.  Santa figured he didn't have much choice, so he let the kid go out to the workshop and help.

  Not too long after that the toys were all finished, in record time, no less, and it was about time for the Big Ride.  But the doctor had other ideas, he said ABSOLUTELY NOT, Santa could NOT go.  The boy heard this, and said he'd kind of figured that the doc would say that, so he'd fashioned a special seat on the sled, so Santa could put his foot up on a nice soft pillow. He said to the doctor "See, that way he wouldn't have to hurt his leg, and I could do all the deliveries while Santa drove the sleigh."  Doc thought about it, and said it was okay, as long as Santa stayed off his feet.

     Mrs. C fixed up some extra sandwiches and cookies, and the elves packed in all the toys and presents while Santa checked his list - twice ~ to be sure they had everything. And before you knew it, off they went.

    With the two of them ... the work was all accomplished in record time. Santa turned to the boy and said "I don't know who you are, or where you came from but you sure saved the day. Is there anything I can do for YOU?"

     The boy said he'd like to show Santa the place where he was born.  Santa agreed, and the boy took the reins. But it had been a busy night, and Santa soon was asleep.

     But after a bit he realized the sleigh wasn't moving any more, and the reindeer were munching on some hay that had been put down for them. The boy was no where in sight, but ahead there was a barn, with a soft glow coming from it. Santa heard the boy call out "In here, Santa ..."

      Without thinking about it he hopped out of the sleigh, forgetting about his leg. Then it dawned on him that it was all better, and didn't hurt at all. How curious! He hurried into the barn, and that's when he saw....

     ..... Mary, and Joseph, and the Baby who was sleeping in the cow's food dish. "Santa, this is where I was born." Santa snatched off his hat, knelt down, and worshipped the Son of God.

      So you see, Little One, though Sandy Claws brings presents to good kiddens, even he remembered that Christmas is Christ's birthday. That's the time we remember the bestest Gift ever ... the one God gave to all of us, even though we didn't deserve it. It should remind us that we should try harder to think about other people instead of ourselves, and try to be worthy of all we've been given.

      (mama gathers up all the wrappings, and puts the box away, leaving Flyser! alone with his thoughts ....)

 

Merlin and Wellie …

 “It’s quiet tonight,” Misty thought, as she watched across time and space. It wasn’t unusual for the little cat to slip away from the others to check on mama. Tonight was one of those nights. 

Misty closed her eyes, and purred as hard as she could, Sending all of her love and comfort toward the woman who sat propped up in bed, with a computer on her lap, as tears stream down her face. “Mama” she said, “I’ll round up the others, and alert Andrew. We’ll be waiting for them.  Don’t worry.”

With that little cat turned and started to run back toward the grove of trees where the rest of her friends were getting ready to settle down for the night. All of a sudden she realized she had been snatched up in loving hands, and while she wanted to be angry at him for doing so, Misty was glad that Andrew had interceded.

“ oh Andrew, it’s just awful. Not one but two of them come…“

“Shhh now, it’s OK sweetheart. It’s their time and they will be making the journey together. The others are already waiting for us by the rock.”  Andrew did his best to soothe the upset kitty. He never ceased to marvel at the bond the sweet creatures had with the people that love them. While being an angel is a pretty good job to have, sometimes he wished he could be human.

“ oh, Andrew don’t be silly. Then you’d only have had a few, but here you have all of us.”

Andrew chuckled, once again, put in his place by a little Scottish fold, who had his wings wrapped around her little paw ever so tightly. She was right, of course, but then again, she usually was.

Andrew settled on the rock surrounded by the rest of the clan as he had come to know them. More than just the cats were here this time, Pnut, the pudgy, little dachshund, and a pair of golden retrievers named Maggie and Molly, we’re waiting patiently as well. As Andrew fished in his famous pockets for just the right tidbits for each of them, he explained. “ two come together this time. Merlin and Wellie, whose time on earth, has run its course. To lose two of them at once, is almost unbearable for their people. As we keep our vigil, all of you must wrap them in love and comfort tonight. Assure them that we are waiting for Merlin and Wellie, that they will not make this journey alone. Remind them of the promises, our creator made to all living things. Remind them that here there will be no pain, no sorrow. And that time marches differently here. Remind them that they will be together again in the fullness of time.”

As the little beasts felt quiet, each sending all their love and comfort to a grieving family they didn’t know, bound to them only by the threads of the Internet, something that made all of earth, a little smaller, and brought people a little closer to each other, they began their vigil…

                                            To be continued…

Morning dawned. Mousie hurried to Andrew asking “Am I too late? It took me a bit to find these guys. Padding along softly behind the little cat were Laddie (collie), a cocker spaniel called Janvier. Gus (a Bernese Mountain Dog) with Cody the Great Pyrenees bringing up the rear. “You neglected to tell me how BIG they are,” she said, as she hopped up on Andrew’s lap.  

The angel chuckled, saying “I knew you were up for the task”, as he fished in his famous pockets for big dog sized treats. 

Gus was the first to ask, “what’s all this about? The cat mumbled something about her father’s house having many rooms.”

“She’s right. There are many meadows such as these, each having their own angel watching over the creatures there. I asked to have you come join us, as you have a connection to a good many here.”

“You’ve been transferred!” 

“Katie!  You are as tactless a cat as I have ever met!”

“Well, in a way she’s right. Today we welcome a greyhound named Merlin, and a bunny named Wellie. Their family is shattered at losing two at once, and we have kept watch over them through the night and today. As the sun sets where they live, the two have come.”

They all looked toward the patch of sweet clover where the two lay sleeping. Maggie rose, and said “I will go wake them …” and padded softly to the sleeping dog and bun. 

She nosed at the bunny first, and as Wellie stirred, Merlin awoke.

“Welcome “ she said. First have a drink, and then we’ll go meet the others.”

Merlin realized he WAS thirsty, and the little creek looked refreshing. He’d always figured water was water, but this was amazing.  

“It’s Crystal Creek. It comes from the River of Life.”

Snatching a mouthful of the sweet clover. Wellie hopped along with the two dogs toward a group of animals, of all sizes, and a man wearing a bathrobe. Well, it looked like a bathrobe. but clearly it wasn’t ‘just’ a man. 

“Merlin! Wellie! Welcome,” he said. “My name is Andrew, and there are friends of mine. We have watched over your family throughout the night and today, to support them and you on your journey. 

“Man’s length of days on earth is much longer than yours. You were no longer well. and there was nothing that could cure you. 

“You have come to us. to cross the great Rainbow Bridge, thereby accepting all that your creator promised. Here you will wait for them. When they come, you will be reunited with them, and go through heaven’s Great Gates, to live forever. 

“But, dad, and mom, do they know about all this? They were so upset .” Merlin’s tail drooped  

“They do  and though you are not there with them as you were, you will be able to send your love to them.  Your new friends will teach you.”  

“Come, it is time.”  Andrew rose, cradling the bunny in his arms, the others closing around Merlin, and they were gone …

“They’re here! Look!  Buttercup could hardly contain herself  Beside her was the rest of the Clan Kitties and an elkhound whose coat matched well with her brother Flyser!’s silver and black  The two of them had hunted for Erik in the other meadows, and had brought him to their own  

The dogs and cats who had accompanied the new comers hopped down from the rainbow, leaving Andrew with the bunny in his arms and the greyhound at his side  The two looked with eyes as round as saucers  So many animals!  Cats, dogs, Guinea pigs  tiny little mice perched on the backs of larger beasties for a better view  

Merlin gasped, “Pilgrim? Is that you??!!”

Delighted, the tiny mouse waved a paw!

“Now you must accept all that has been promised to you  Jump down from there, and meet your new friends.  They will teach you how to send your thoughts and your love to those you left behind  And in the fullness of time, you will be reunited with them.”

Merlin’s head was spinning! So much to take in! Andrew put the bunny down, and as he did, Gus moved closer  It wasn’t much of a leap for Merlin,  but Wellie could use a softer landing pad  Wellie looked up at Merlin and said “we’ll, here goes,” and tumbled onto the waiting dog’s back  Merlin followed, leaping to the ground  

As the waiting throng of animals gathered around the newcomers, a little silver kitty slipped away and went to the edge of the meadow  “Mama, they’re here, and safe  And we found Gus and the others, Buttsy and Flyser! found Eric  We’re all here together  I doubt anyfur will get much sleep tonight!  Go to the writie box and tell Neil and Treena all is well  We will teach them all they need to know … and Mama? I love you …”  Misty closed her eyes and purred as loud as she could  

… the woman paused as she typed, hearing a soft purr in the night …

©️Rose Scott

11/12/22

Stewie Fulkerson …

 “Uh oh, something is wrong. Why is Mama crying?” Pepper was usually the first to know, but this time it was Misty who sounded the alarm.

“Where’s Andr…oof.   Dang it Andrew, I hate it when you do that …”.  Misty found herself unceremoniously deposited on the angel’s lap.

“Calm down Old Girl, sometimes it’s necessary.”  Andrew soothed the flustered kitty.   “What’s got you so distraught?”

“It’s Mama.  She’s on the ‘writey box’ and there’s water on her face. But I checked, everyfur is accounted for …”

“Not quite, my Love, not quite.  See, she’s been following one of her favorite groups, of quilters with kitties.  I’m sure you remember it ….” Andrew’s soft words were soothing.  

“But … oh No! Not Stevie! NOOOOOO”

The angel’s wings folded around her for just a blink of an eye, and then she saw him.  She scrambled off Andrew’s lap and took off across the meadow to a spot she knew only so well. 

At the angel’s feet tumbled several more kitties, not quite as upset as Misty had been. 

“What’s going on?” Mittens was an old hand at Andrew’s odd way of gathering them when they were needed.  

Mouse looked across the meadow. “I think I know why, and yet I don’t.”

“While he’s not one of your family, he IS one of Mama’s extended family. “

“Yep, that would be the quilters…”.  Katie scrubbed a paw.

“Geeze Kate you’re about as subtle as. …”

“Now, now ladies, you’re better than this.  You’ve all spent time under the sewing machine, and more often than not, lounging on quilts in the frame.  They’re a special bunch of people are quilters.  Rarely do they think of their own selves, or wants, or needs, but are always the first in line at the sound of trouble.

“Stewie was a quilting cat, like all of you were.  So not only is his ‘Nana’ devastated, but so many of her friends as well.”

“You know, as far back as I can remember there was always quilting going on, long before the writie boxes came to be,” said Mittens thoughtfully.  

Katie added “And when it DID, strong bonds were made between quilters all over the world. I remember piles of blocks, and patterns, from those early days of swaps.”D

“Is Misty okay?” Asked Mousie, as she and Mouse watched.

“We will wait for her, she’s got this …” Andrew reached into his pockets for kitty sized treats as they waited and watched.

“Stewie … wake up, Stewie … “

“Huh?” Yawn. “I’m sorry, who are you and why are you waking me up, and where am I.”  Stevie sat, and studiously scrubbed a paw.  All cats learn as wee kittens, ‘when in doubt, wash’.  And Stevie was indeed, ‘in doubt’.

“It’s okay.  I’m Misty. We met on the ‘writie box’ our mamas use.”

“I remember you, you asked me on a date! But I am promised to Miss Gypsy.  And a gentletddom doesn’t trifle with two ladies’ hearts.”

“Oh Stevie, you’re ever as sweet as I thought you were.  But that doesn’t answer your question. But first, you must have a drink …”

Stewie had thought he’d heard water running, and just as she said, there was a small creek flowing.  Doing as he was told, he lowered his head to lap up the refreshing water.  He marveled at how GOOD it tasted, not like just plain old kitchen water.  He looked as far as he could see, wondering where the creek began.

“You see, a very long time ago, before ‘writie boxes’ and quilt frames, before everything you’ve ever heard about, there was a time when our Creator got real mad at the world He had built, and washed it all off save for only a few.  He was ashamed of Himself a little bit for being so mad, so He promised He’d never do it again, and He put a rainbow in the sky to remind us.

“Come with me, there are others you need to meet…”

With that the bewildered Stewie padded along beside Misty toward huge trees, shady spots, a large rock and another group of cats. ‘None of this makes any sense,’ he thought.

“Welcome, young man, you must be Stewie!” The angel lifted the bewildered cat to his lap, and offered him his favorite kitty treat.  

‘Where on earth would a guy in a white dress, on a rock, under trees, with other cats, possibly come up with churu?’ thought Stewie. 

“Um, thank you very much, Sir, but I really need to get home to Nana.  She will be worried about me, and … ”

“But that’s just it, Stewie,” Misty explained.  “You’re here now with us and you can’t go back.  Well, you can, but not like you were …”

The angel continued his comforting touch. “Stewie, Man’s time on earth is longer than that of just about every animal.  It is not yet Nana’s time to be here, but it IS yours.  These kitties who have come to greet you all belonged to ladies who also make quilts.  

“In time you will come to understand better, but for now, we must be going, as the others are waiting for us.”

As the angel rose, Stewie cradled in his arms, the gentle breeze whispering in the trees, they all were gone….

….and arrived on a beautiful Bridge made of every color of the rainbow.

Stewie’s eyes were HUGE!  All these animals! Cats and dogs, horses and bunnies, others he’d heard about but never seen.  They all looked up at him with love and understanding, clearly there to welcome him. 

Pepper, Katie, Mouse and Mousie, Mittens and Misty all hopped off the edge of the rainbow to join the others. 

“Now all you need to do is to jump off!” 

“KATE!!!  She’s right though. You accept the promise made to every living thing. Your Creator knows when even the smallest of us falls,” Misty explained.

“Even us!” as the tiniest birds he’d ever seen flew around him and then perched on the heads of two golden retrievers.  

“But, but Nana … and …. I don’t want to.”  Stewie buried his face in the angel’s arms.

“It’s okay Stewie, I’m right here.” Misty hopped back up on the bridge at the angel’s feet.  “It’s going to be okay.  We will teach you how to visit with Nana. How to tell her you are not gone, that. you still love her, and your Lady Gypsy.  We will teach you.”

“She’s right, Stewie. In one sense you are gone, but in another you are always with her, and with all the ladies who came to love you.”  Andrew ached for the unhappy cat. “But you will wait here, until her time on earth is ended, and then you will be reunited, to go through the Great Gate to Heaven forever.”

“Well, if you’re sure …” Stewie squirmed in Andrew’s arms, and was deposited on the rainbow beside Misty.  

“You ready” she asked?

Stewie closed his eyes tight, and with Misty beside him, hopped down off the rainbow bridge.

Mouse slipped away from the others and moved to the edge of the meadow. “Mama, Stewie’s here with us. He’s a little confused at the moment,  but then so were the rest of us when we came.  “Can you tell the others, and Nana, that he’s here with us, and he’s well again?”

“…and Mama? I love you ….”

            …. the woman thought she heard the softest purring as she reached for her keyboard …