Reflections Part 2

by Hart4Ben

This is a continuation of Reflections. A series of brief reflections and/or life lessons in the voice of one of the Cartwrights. These pieces are too short to stand alone. The title of the chapter is the focus for that particular chapter. Most center around episodes, but not all. I plan to add more as the opportunity arises.

3. Chapter 3

Christmas Memories

A puff of smoke escaped Ben's encircled lips and drifted toward the wood beams above. The living room was quiet except for the crackle of the logs in the hearth. His sons were already upstairs. Each had placed their gifts for the others under the tree, bid him goodnight, and wished him sweet Christmas dreams before retiring. He thanked God that he had made one more trip around the sun in good stead. It did not seem possible that another Christmas was only hours away. The warm glow of the firelight and spicy fragrance of the large, festooned pine by the stairs made him nostalgic.

Ben pulled once more on his pipe. This time he took particular note of how the wisps of smoke floated away and then disappeared. The years had gone by in much the same way. In worldly terms, he had much to show for his efforts, yet, he found the elusive nature of the passage of time disconcerting. Still, his memories offered some comfort, not all, but most. He began reminiscing about Christmases past. There were those with very few presents, and those, like now, with plenty. Christmas Eve's with little boys scurrying about too excited to go to sleep, and those when his grown sons went to bed early, possibly doing a bit of their own reminiscing before falling asleep, and relishing the thought of sleeping in a little later than usual. There had been a few grand celebrations, but more often they were intimate family times: the Christmas story, a few hymns, the best food possible given the situation, and the giving of gifts, sometimes done with great sacrifice by the giver.

After a time of contemplation, Ben rose and emptied the remains of his pipe tobacco into the hearth before placing it on top of its box. Banking the fire, checking the bolt on the door, and turning down the lamps, came as naturally to him as breathing. Then he paused with his hand on the stair post for one last look at the tree. He spotted two ornaments that only by the grace of God had survived the years and the trip west. Each represented his only Christmases with his dear wives, Elizabeth and Inger. A twinge of loss pinched in his chest because of the brevity of their time together. But then, he took in the whole of the lovely tree and smiled. It was Marie; glamorous and sparkling, just as she was. Marie had filled their home with beauty that was now most evident at Christmastime.

Ben released a contented sigh and whispered. "Merry Christmas to you all."