So beautifully poignant.
Thank you, Santa.
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| Another Bernhilda - A Christmas drabble for LizzieC http://www.the-cbb.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=6995 |
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| Author: | Secret Santa [ Mon Dec 07, 2009 11:06 am ] |
| Post subject: | Another Bernhilda - A Christmas drabble for LizzieC |
I remember that Christmas for so many reasons, but before anything else comes the memory of the cold. It was a hard winter, and I had so little, that on the streets I often suffered because of the weather. Often it was difficult to tell what time of the year it was, except for the changes in season and the festivals celebrated by all. Sometimes whole weeks passed without my noticing, for each day was a simple struggle for survival. This particular evening I was stood outside one house, listening wistfully to the sounds of children inside, playing some game and having fun. I imagined them wrapped up warm, looking at the snow outside in awe and not imagining what it could be to be stuck in it with no clothes, no shelter and no food. I often thought this way about the people that I met; not with envy, or bitterness, just an incomprehension that they could take for granted such luxuries as warm clothes and bread. When the party came around the corner, I thought it should be best if they didn't see me; I often found that rich people disliked urchins who appeared on street corners. But on this occasion, one of the youngest of the party, a slight girl who looked so much like a goblin that I nearly believed she couldn't possibly be of this earth ran over, and pressed into my hands precious notes. At first I could only stare in wonderment, especially as she said something unintelligible, and I began to truly believe that she must be of the fairies. The money she had given me was real, however, and I at once ran to the shops. I entered the first bakery I found which was still open, manned only by a lady covered in flour, who wiped her hands on her apron continually. Shyly, for it was late now and I was the only other person in the shop, I approached the counter. I could see her looking askance at me, wondering if I had come to beg, but when I laid some of the notes on the counter her eyes widened. I asked for a loaf of bread and, as it was Christmas and I had so much, a slice of cake. I can only assume that it was Christmas spirit which compelled her to add a second slice to the bag, for she must have seen children like me on a daily basis and knew that she couldn't possibly help us all. In any case, she took some of the money I had put down and pushed the rest back, told me to go and find somewhere I could buy a glass of warmed milk and sit inside for a little while out of the snow. I couldn't possibly hope to repay her generosity, and so I merely gave her the blessing of the Christ child and wished her a happy Christmas, before running away so that she should not change her mind. Flushed by my good fortune I ran through the streets, looking for somewhere that would give me the promised drink and a brief respite from the cold. I was so overjoyed by all that had happened, and the idea that for a little while I may not be hungry, that I tripped over a young boy, barely older than me, who was hunched up on one side of the street under some rugs. I was so terribly sorry that before either of us could think I extended the slices of cake, which I had tucked under my arm, offering him one. It took some time for me to convince him that I meant it, and that I offered him no harm. Greatly daring, I showed him the other notes I had, and promised that if he came we should get milk for both of us, and he could share my bread. In the end I grabbed his hand and towed him along, until we found someone who let us sit by their fire – we were not allowed in the main restaurant, for fear of offending the customers – and have a small drink. All that winter we looked after each other, sleeping together to try and warm each other up and always sharing what we managed to gain. Slowly, a friendship built between us, then a trust, and finally a romance. When he was eighteen, Kurt managed to find work as a farm hand, and we were just able to afford our own cottage. It was modest, but we got by, and recently we were blessed with a son of our own. This year he cannot be at home for Christmas, for he is off fighting in this evil war. But he sends home money, and made me promise to keep our Christmas tradition of giving food and warmth to any homeless children we see on Christmas eve. We always hope that they will find happiness too, as we did. I often think that if it had not been for the strange, mysterious creature who was so generous to me on that first Christmas I should not be as contented as I am now. I know that Kurt will be home soon, and until then I write to him as often as possible about life in the city, where I have been forced to move to find work, and how big our son grows. But most of all, I never forget that we found each other one Christmas, and that we shall celebrate many more together. |
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| Author: | Alison H [ Mon Dec 07, 2009 11:09 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Another Bernhilda - A Christmas drabble for LizzieC |
Thank you Santa - that was so lovely, and made me cry. |
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| Author: | JB [ Mon Dec 07, 2009 11:10 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Another Bernhilda - A Christmas drabble for LizzieC |
Thank you Santa. That was so moving. * Blinks away the tears * |
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| Author: | PaulineS [ Mon Dec 07, 2009 11:24 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Another Bernhilda - A Christmas drabble for LizzieC |
That was so beautiful. Thank you. |
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| Author: | Elbee [ Mon Dec 07, 2009 2:10 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Another Bernhilda - A Christmas drabble for LizzieC |
That was so moving. Thanks, Santa. |
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| Author: | Emma A [ Mon Dec 07, 2009 4:21 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Another Bernhilda - A Christmas drabble for LizzieC |
Oh, that was lovely, Santa. And it would have made Joey so happy. Thank-you. |
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| Author: | shazwales [ Mon Dec 07, 2009 6:25 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Another Bernhilda - A Christmas drabble for LizzieC |
Thank you Santa,that was special. |
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| Author: | Abi [ Mon Dec 07, 2009 9:49 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Another Bernhilda - A Christmas drabble for LizzieC |
That was a lovely story. If only Joey could have known. Thanks, LizzieC's Santa. |
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| Author: | snowmaiden [ Tue Dec 08, 2009 3:22 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Another Bernhilda - A Christmas drabble for LizzieC |
Another one in tears - that was so lovely, thanks Santa |
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| Author: | Nightwing [ Tue Dec 08, 2009 7:37 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Another Bernhilda - A Christmas drabble for LizzieC |
Thank you, Santa - a lovely story that had me in tears. I hope Kurt returned safely from the war. |
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| Author: | MaryR [ Wed Dec 09, 2009 4:19 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Another Bernhilda - A Christmas drabble for LizzieC |
So beautifully poignant. Thank you, Santa. |
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| Author: | Chris S [ Thu Dec 10, 2009 3:11 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Another Bernhilda - A Christmas drabble for LizzieC |
Thank you Santa, that was a very moving story. |
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| Author: | Cath V-P [ Mon Dec 21, 2009 1:16 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Another Bernhilda - A Christmas drabble for LizzieC |
I've just found this Santa - you are clever, and this was delightful! |
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| Author: | lexyjune [ Tue Dec 22, 2009 10:35 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Another Bernhilda - A Christmas drabble for LizzieC |
Thank you, that was lovely. |
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| Author: | JS [ Thu Dec 24, 2009 2:43 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Another Bernhilda - A Christmas drabble for LizzieC |
I too hope he made it through the war and also have tears in my eyes. Thanks Santa. |
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| Author: | LizzieC [ Thu Dec 24, 2009 11:18 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Another Bernhilda - A Christmas drabble for LizzieC |
Sorry for replying so late Santa. That was absolutely beautiful. Thank you so much.
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| Author: | Billie [ Sun Dec 27, 2009 12:00 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Another Bernhilda - A Christmas drabble for LizzieC |
That was lovely. Thanks for sharing this, Santa. |
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| Author: | Smile :) [ Wed Jan 06, 2010 9:32 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Another Bernhilda - A Christmas drabble for LizzieC |
Lovely, Thanks Santa. |
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| Author: | Sarah_G-G [ Thu Jan 07, 2010 11:47 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Another Bernhilda - A Christmas drabble for LizzieC |
Thank you, that was lovely and brought tears to my eyes. I hope Kurt gets back safely to her. |
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| Author: | Millie [ Wed Jan 13, 2010 3:42 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Another Bernhilda - A Christmas drabble for LizzieC |
So lovely, thank you. |
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