WAITING

   We had been waiting and waiting for our home in Prescott to close escrow. Finally it happened. And we were able to move in…Christmas Eve!

   We were expecting one of our four kids to show up with a young lady he was dating. She was bringing her three-year-old daughter Amy—and we had no decorations up for Christmas! In fact, my goal was to unpack enough dishes for dinner and bed linens for beds!

But first, I wanted a Christmas tree.  It's okay, I thought.  Surely I'll be able to buy a Christmas tree in the middle of the forest.  This was 1976 and it never occurred to me to consider an artificial tree.  I looked over the entire town and couldn't find a tree to buy.

   Luckily, I did find a lovely Christmas stocking to put up for this little girl I had not met. And I was able to find several interesting toys I thought she would like.  Meanwhile, our friend, Budge Ruffner, had sent over a  beautiful wreath for our door. We were thrilled! It took the place of a Christmas tree! I had a little trouble with the thought that for the first time in my life we wouldn’t  have a tree for Christmas. Then I thought about all the families who wouldn’t have a tree, gifts or a good dinner on Christmas.

   The young people arrived late afternoon and we immediately fell in love with Amy. Her grandparents had sent along a host of big, beautiful Christmas gifts, which we stacked around the fireplace. The stockings went up, with Amy’s right in the middle. That night, after late Christmas Eve services at church, the stockings were filled.

   Christmas morning, little Amy was entranced with her stocking. She slowly took everything out and looked at her little doll and toys. She did this all day long—carefully taking them out and carefully putting them away—and slept with her stocking that night! The big, handsome gifts that she unwrapped were very nice—but her little Christmas stocking appeared to be her most treasured gift.

   That was the first and last time we ever saw Amy. I wish I could tell her how special she had made our first Christmas in our new home. She was definitely worth waiting for…as is the baby Jesus each and every year!

                                                                                                                           --Mary Ellen Dyer