The most beautiful present

It was a summer day. I was on the porch preparing tea with Jeanie when a woman with a girl approached us.

“Hello, dear. I am Mandy, your new neighbor. This is my daughter, Lucy. Nice to meet you,” she said, smiling.

“Hello! I am Annie, and this is my friend, Jeanie.”

Grandma immediately appeared and invited them in, but I didn’t want to join. I preferred to stay outside with Jeanie. I noticed Grandma’s sad look, but I was relieved she didn’t insist.

“Lucy, maybe you would like to play with Annie.”

“Yes, mommy,” Lucy responded gladly.

After Grandma led her mother into the house, I was about to tell Lucy to leave us alone, as I always do, but her big smile, the sparkle of her eyes, and something I felt in my heart made me stop. Still, I made my point: “Lucy, you should know Jeanie is my best friend, and I prefer to spend my time with her. Alone.”

“You are lucky to have her. I lost everything when we moved here, but I hope to have new friends soon.”

From that day, Lucy kept coming to us, even if I often ignored her. I used to be rude to the other kids to keep them away, but not to Lucy. She told me her father had died, and her mother had to sell their house and move here. I knew what this means, and felt sorry for her.

Once, she asked me why I love Jeanie so much. The warmth of her voice and her kind eyes made me open up to her: “Mommy gave Jeanie to me the Christmas before she died, and since then, she is my best friend.”

Last week Lucy told me she’s trying to be my friend, and I’m not doing the same. I responded that I prefer Jeanie to all other kids, and she knew that from the beginning. Lucy looked at me very sad, then left, and didn’t come back.

Now it’s almost Christmas, and I’m in my bed, crying. I lost Jeanie, and I cannot find her!

What is this sound?

It’s not my grandparents; they are already sleeping.

Again that noise, right below.

Probably a toy under the bed. I take the nightlight to check.

A whisper!

I drop the nightlight. I don’t know what frightens me more, the noise, or the sparkling eyes under the bed.

“It’s me, Annie!”

“Jeanie! I looked for you everywhere!”

“There’s a reason why you couldn’t find me,” she tells me, “and I’ll show you why.”

Suddenly we are in a whirl of bright colors, surrounded by glittering stars. Actually, they are snowflakes that melt on my skin, making it shiny!

We land on snow, but I don’t feel any cold.

Jeanie looks like a little girl now. She grabs my hand and pulls me after her: “Come with me.”

I always loved my mom’s stories about Santa’s land, the toy factory, the elves, the reindeer, and all the helpers he has. Everything here is exactly as mom told me.

We enter the factory where everybody is busy manufacturing toys.

Such a lovely place! And I’m with Jeanie again! I could stay here forever.

Jeanie opens a door and ushers me inside.

“Mommy!” Tears of happiness run down my face while I fall into her arms. “Miss you so much!”

“I know, Annie. I miss you too, every second. I love you so much!”

Embraced, we sit down on a bench.

“Mommy, why are you here instead of being with me?”

“We talked about passing away, didn’t we? This is my new home from where I still can bring joy to people, while I watch over you, sending you the gifts of my love.”

“Jeanie is the most beautiful present you ever gave me! Nothing is more precious for me!”

“Actually, there is something much more precious, Annie. Remember how much fun we had with our friends? You used to play a lot, sing, dance, and be the sparkling little star of any party. When I was in the hospital, everybody there loved you, the doctors, the nurses, the patients. You were such a joy, surprising us with a new song, a dance, or a poem. You are my amazing little girl!”

She kisses me. I am so happy in her arms.

“Thus, it breaks my heart to see you so lonely.”

“Don’t worry, I have Jeanie! She is my best friend.”

“You need a true friend that can talk to you, wipe your tears when you are sad, laugh with you when you are happy. Jeanie cannot do these.”

“I want you back, Mommy. And when I’m with Jeanie, I feel you with me.”

She embraces me tightly and tells me with tears in her eyes: “I am right here, in your heart. And when you follow your heart, I am always there by your side. Like when you met Lucy and didn’t send her away. Listen to your heart and be nice to Lucy. She needs a friend too. The gift of true friendship is the most wonderful one. And you, my little princess, have so much to give! Promise me to give Lucy a nice Christmas present, and play with her. Would you?”

“Yes, Mommy, I’ll find the best present for her.”

“I love you forever, Annie! I will always be in your heart!” she says while holding me closely. Then she kisses my eyes.

Colored snowflakes surround me once more, and soon I feel cold.

I open my eyes. It’s dawn, and I’m in bed, with Jeanie in my arms and my heart full of emotions. I miss Mommy so much! But I made her a promise.

***

“And I kept it, my dear Lucy. Since that day, I have never felt lonely again. You have stayed at my side, and I have stayed at yours, always. You are the best friend one could have. Merry Christmas, my dear Lucy!”

Number of words: 998

For all of you that feel sad or lonely: close your eyes and let your hearts dance with the colored snowflakes! Do something nice to bring joy to yourself and to your dear friends. There is magic in all of us. Merry Christmas!