You'll be home for Christmas

ne of those days when the whole world was busy partying but she was busy stuck indoors, watching the fireplace keenly. Watching it ever so keenly because she was so used to doing it because she knew that she saw herself in the blazing embers and warming energy.

Stella-Marie was one of those girls who loved staying away from noisy situations. She knew Christmas was just around the corner, and she had been good all year round. She expected something would be wonderful about that Christmas if her Luck was going to be the way it usually worked out.

Stella-Marie Dessen had been working on a book she had written 12 chapters of to-date, and it seemed to be turning out pretty well. After having worked on the draft form of the final manuscript, she was still editing her work, adding things here and there so as to make the book even more amazing than it was now. More than just a book it was a spiritual experience.

Stella-Marie worked in a supermarket, usually found arranging shelves and ushering people along the aisles of the supermarket helping them find their way, and find things they needed. She had left her family back in the countryside a year ago, and because she was a little defiant had only kept the relationship with her kid sister alive. Her parents did not hate their daughter, but they never thought that Stella- Marie who went to a fine university would ever work in retail.

Whether anyone had good things to say about it, or not Stella was doing okay. In fact, she reported to work on time every day and prayed the rosary in her room in her mother’s honor every night. Stella-Marie had been living alone, but she did not do what the other supposedly more exciting people from her university would have done if they were in her shoes. Stella-Marie believed in Jesus and the goodness of the Bible, and tried to pray every morning and fellowship with her Christian friends.

Better believe it, Stella-Marie had always been a bit weird like that. As the spoiled daughter of the Dessen family, she had gotten everything she ever wanted growing up. She had also inherited her father’s headstrong attitude to life, unlike her younger sister who believed in waiting for her ship to come to the shore, rather than swimming towards the ship in order to find it.

Stella-Marie enjoyed herself living alone, being a keen participant in her own happiness. She maybe could have freaked out a little, but as she had always been reserved her natural introvertedness seemed to make her less obvious to the extroverted types in society who usually just want to do wild wanton things and have a good time.

She knew that if she followed the routine that she was so used to, and prayed every morning and every night, God would reward her for being diligent. She found hidden promises in reading the scriptures, and she felt warmth from its glowing warm light.

Again she sat down in front of the fireplace that was part of the old house she was sharing a room with a friend. The old lady that run the house was quite an interesting lady, who didn’t seem to mind Stella-Marie but couldn’t stand the others.

While the others cowered in her presence, trying to say tactile things so as to escape her frown and get safely back into their rooms, Stella-Marie had a wonderful greeting from her every time she walked through the door, because she did not play blaring loud music, invite weird friends over for sleepovers or come in after the curfew. She also often bought groceries for the old lady which made her like Stella Marie even more.

Stella-Marie messaged her sister back home every Sunday. As usual, she messaged back. Growing up, the two were very close and complimented each other like bread and butter. Chrissy-Anne replied to her text saying “Hi…the ‘rents have invited you over for Christmas? Would you like to come? They have accepted that you are a working young woman now. Christmas is only a week away. Do come!”

Stella Marie took her time deciding. She was elated that her parents had invited her. Finally, they were changing their mind about her new life and her new job!

And so the days passed, Stella continued doing what she did, every day and every night. Reading the Bible, praying, and doing her full-time job. Stella-Marie was the picture of happiness. She wanted to visit her family back home, she missed them!

It was just 2 days away from payday, and Stella-Marie Dessen was about to get her paycheque. She wanted to buy something nice for her sister and a nice gift for her parents too. Stella continued doing what she did, working hard, praying hard, and biding the time, doing what was good in the sight of God…

Finally, payday arrived and Stella-Marie got the money. She told her boss that she would be going home for a week. They were okay with it, and Stella bought a nice box of sugar-coated doughnuts for the entire family. She also bought a nice gold ring for her mother, a Filofax planner for her father, and a sweatshirt with a hello kitty logo for her sister.

The big day arrived and Stella-Marie was reunited with her family. She hugged her sister, mother, and father so tightly. As they all gathered for a big bear hug. They all ate dinner at the dinner table as they used to and watched the fireworks that were part of the annual village Christmas celebrations. For once Stella-Marie remembered who she used to be, and was that little girl that was once a part of the Dessen legacy.