Clara's Christmas

The night was Christmas Eve. Clara’s grandparents had every surface covered with decorations. The room, neutral in color, was suddenly glowing brightly with reds and greens. Clara sat in the middle of the room with the couch to her back. Its suede material felt no different than the blue gown she wore. Gazing at the Christmas tree, her eyes widened. The glow from the light filled her face, completed it. Presents crowded around the pine; some were similar to towering trees in a forest while others tiny shrubs and beautiful flowers with greens ribbons as leaves and wines. Clara dragged her fingers across the soft carpet underneath her, imagining it as the silky grass accompanying her forest of presents. The trees in this forest were quite colorful. There were so colorful that she was confused tropical forests had nothing on hers.

“Isn’t it beautiful, Clara?” Her grandmother mused. Her eyes gazed upon the tree. Clara saw a glint in Grandma’s eyes she hadn’t seen before. She smiled, sat down on the couch, and patted her lap repeatedly. Only seeing Grandma and Grandpa twice or so a year was difficult on Clara, so she was more than happy to be close to them. Clara hopped up in her lap and pulled her legs close to her. Grandma’s strong arms wrapped around her body and filled her core with love. They both smiled. Clara’s mother never wore jewelry, so seeing Grandma with jewelry on always amazed her. She had dozens of shiny rings on.

“Grandma, promise me you’ll never take a bath or go swimming.” Clara’s big, brown eyes widened with seriousness as Grandma chuckled. Its musical ring filled the house. “Grandma, I’m serious!” She exclaimed.
Grandma put on her serious face, but Clara noticed a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. “Why can’t I, child?” Grandma turned Clara around in her lap.
She sighed, “I’m afraid you’ll drown in the tub! These rings can be really heavy.” A hearty laugh joined Grandma’s giggles. Clara jumped down from Grandma’s lap and jumped into Grandpa’s arms. “Grandpa, this is really no laughing matter. I want Grandma to stay around for a very long time.” Her small hand traced the soft wrinkles that had formed in his face. He held her by the wrist gently and reassured her that Grandma would remove all of her jewelry before bathing or swimming. Clara was content. She nodded, a drowsy look taking over her face. Grandpa nodded to Grandma. She smiled and rose from the couch.

“I think it’s time to put this little one to sleep, don’t you?” They were walking up the stairs, taking on step at a time.

“No,” Clara protested. “I’m not tired anymore. See?” She attempted to lift her head or open her eyes to convince Grandma otherwise, but she knew better. Before Clara knew it, she was tucked into bed and slowly dozing off. Just as Grandpa was leaving her bedside, Clara grabbed his sleeve. “Yes, Clara?”

“Grandpa, do you think Santa will come tonight?” A yawn interrupted her question, but Grandpa knew and answered, “If you cross your fingers and pray really hard, I think he will.” Grandpa winked and squeezed her hand. “Go to sleep, dear.” She fell asleep listening to a Christmas record.

Sunshine gleamed through the blinds in her window. Clara rubbed her eyes and stretched. Suddenly, she remembered what day it was. Like a herd of horses, Clara pounded down the stars. The forest in her living room had nearly doubled in size!
“Grandma, Grandma, Grandma!” She yelled. “Santa came. He actually came!” Clara crashed into the middle of her grandparent’s bed. She was lost to the endless hugging and warm covers. She poked Grandpa’s nose and said, “I prayed a lot last night, and guess what. It worked.” A childish grin stretched from ear to ear. Grandpa smoothed a chocolate ringlet behind her ear. “Let’s make breakfast.” He grabbed her, throwing her over his shoulder. Clara blew her lips together to make an airplane sound.
“We’ll be landing in five, four, three, two �".“ Giggles erupted from Clara who was now a lump on the couch. Grandpa tickled her tummy briefly, but Grandma pulled him away to help with breakfast. The excitement of cooking and later eating blueberry pancakes was enough to distract her from the presents.

Once they were situated at the breakfast table, forks clinked and mouths sipped. “Did you hear Santa last night, Clara? He was right on the rooftop, and I heard him slide down the chimney!” Clara dropped her fork and almost stood up in her chair.

“You heard him? I’ve been waiting to hear him my whole life.” She sunk down in her chair and crossed her arms. Grandma giggled at her silly behavior.
“You weren’t listening, Clara. You have to listen. You have to open your heart and wait for the magic to reach your ears.”
Clara was listening now. “How does it feel, Papa?” Her posture softened and her ears perked.
“When you hear those bells ringing on the rooftop, warmth fills your heart the way we fill a caramel pie. It oozes into your chest and slowly grows. You’re smiling in your sleep and you feel like the spirit of the evening has lifted your body above the ground.” Grandpa’s face was glowing.
Clara sat back, taken by his words. She had never read or heard anything so astonishing. Her eyes drifted to the table’s edge. As Grandma and Grandpa finished their food, Clara thought.
“Come on, sport. Let’s open those presents!” Grandpa scooped her up and sat her in front of the first box.

Two hours later, every box was ripped open by one of the three. Clara sat in the middle of chaos. Boxes lay defeated next to her. Ribbons and wrapping paper were strung across the couch, her lap, and everything in between. Not one of them bothered with cleaning up. They just huddled in the middle, hugging each other.

“Grandma, Papa, thank you for the presents. I’m sorry I didn’t get you one.”

Grandma wrapped her arms around her princess and squeezed. “You are the greatest gift I could ever receive.” Grandpa agreed by joined the hug.

“I love you two.” Clara whispered and a silver tear fell from each adults eyes.

“We’ll love you more than you’ll ever know.”