The magic of Christmas

It was a usual jolly evening affair at the Old Age Home. Everyone was busy playing cards while sipping into their favorite chicken soup in the Community Centre hall. While Mr Crogly and Mr Smith were squabbling over who would win the next round of Scrabble, Samantha – the house warden invaded their space with a bunch of children who without any proclamation started dancing and singing carols. Before it was too late, the oldsters realized that it was that time of the year again. The time when the gorgeous sky hands over to the ground some ambrosial love in the form of frosty snowflakes – the time that entails a bonfire to char all sorts of sorrows urging families to come together and celebrate the season by delving in some dizzy wine and delish turkey.

Observing the change in the ambience, in no time, everyone in the room joined the little angels with equal zest and merriment. After all, no one can avoid singing Jingle bells and Joy to the world, can they? Later that evening when everyone was busy exchanging gifts, Mr Crogly was sitting alone beside the fireplace missing his son, Arlen. While he knew he must’ve been busy celebrating with his family, the old man’s heart still longed to snag a glimpse of his lad.

Drifting him from his sulky thoughts, a little boy came up to Mr Crogly and handed him a small box sheathed in a fancy red glittery wrapping paper with a yellow ribbon bow. Gazing at the gift tag citing: “Merry Christmas, Pa! Love forever”, the old fellow sighed a breath of relief believing how much his son loved him; advancing to show his gift – a warm knit smoke gray colored muffler with matching gloves, to his inmates, Mr Crogly did manage to exchange smiles and praises for his son. Seeing this heartening arena from afar, Samantha beamed with peered contentment on once again succeeding in warding the alzheimer patient’s twelve year old memory alive!