Wednesday, November 18, 2015

A THOUSAND POINTS OF LIGHT (How To Prepare For Christmas)

When word reached the young Soldier that he could have a three-day pass for the Christmas holidays, it was much too late to book passage home on a train or a bus. Mostly on Christmas Eve, all means of public transportation were already filled.

With his duffel bag slung over his shoulder, he thumbed a ride with a family driving north. As they rode along, snow began to gently fall. The 150-mile trip between the Soldier’s base and his parents’ home consumed eight hours. As the roads grew treacherous, the Car skidded off the primitive highway once more.

In the wee hours of the morning on Christmas Day, the Car stopped. The Soldier walked the last few blocks to his parents’ home, crunching through the snow. Gazing toward the end of the road, he was surprised and delighted to see a small electric candle flickering in his parents’ window.

He climbed the steps to the porch and stomped the snow from his combat boots. As the door opened, a startled father peered out into the dark that surrounded his son. Warm hugs were followed by laughter as the boy’s mother joined the reunion.

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