The CBB :: View topic - A Christmas Drabble for Susan

#1: A Christmas Drabble for Susan Author: CBB Secret Santa,

Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 3:05 am

She couldn’t help but think of all those she had left behind. She had assumed that Christmas would be such a busy time that she wouldn’t have the chance to reflect on Christmases past. However, she had underestimated the strength of her feelings - each night as she lay down upon her cot, images of her family and their celebrations sprang unbidden into her mind and she had to fight back tears. She missed them more than she could say.

There was one Christmas she just remembered, many years ago, with Maman and Papa. Maman had sung carols to her to help send her to sleep on Christmas Eve and she had been given a beautiful homemade rag doll. She didn’t know what had happened to that doll, it seemed to have been lost when she and Papa moved away from Munich. She hoped it had found a good home.

She remembered the first Christmas in Austria, the wonderful crimson dress she had been given and how it made her feel like a fairytale princess. How old Frau Mensch had compared her to poor little Natalie. How strange it had been to see Joey wearing a pinafore. She had felt sorry for Gertlieb, who had spent a considerable part of Christmas Day cooking the goose for Mittagessen. It hadn’t seemed fair that she should have to work while everyone else was celebrating. With the benefit of hindsight and an adult point of view, she could understand now that the girl had been happy in her work, satisfied that she was earning money to help support her younger siblings and glad to help the Mensches and their guests enjoy the festive season. Even so, she felt a certain amount of pride for her younger self - how many six year olds would think of such a thing on Christmas Day?

She remembered Christmases at the Sonnalpe, entertaining the young Bettanys and Russells. Joey would tell the story of the Nativity, her voice gentle and her eyes sparkling, while the small fry sat at her feet, completely absorbed in the tale. It was strange to think that those little children were young adults now, about to make their own way through the world she had left behind. Jem would often be absent, called away urgently to the San. She had felt terribly sorry for those patients who couldn’t go home and celebrate with their families.

She remembered wartime Christmases, bittersweet occasions when they had grieved for absent friends whilst hoping that the message of peace would be transmitted through the troubled world. Brief glimpses of light in a time of darkness.

She remembered the year at Plas Gwyn when Jack had dressed as Father Christmas to entertain the children. The boys had been young enough to believe without question, although Len and Margot, being slightly older and possessed of enquiring minds, immediately recognised their father and had to be sworn to secrecy by Joey. Con, however, had maintained that the figure was the real Father Christmas, even when her sisters tried to convince her otherwise. Joey had been amused. “She knows the truth,” she had said. “She just doesn’t want to let go of the fantasy.”

Swallowing hard, she rolled onto her side and screwed her eyes shut in an effort to stop the tears welling up. What right did she have to mourn for the life she had left behind? It had been her own decision and, ultimately, it had been the right one. After all, she had so many joyful memories, so many times of happiness with those she loved. There were many people out there who hadn’t lived such privileged lives and whose happy memories were few and far between. She was thankful for all her blessings and by devoting her life to worship she was giving thanks in the most complete way she possibly could.
Soothed at last by this remembrance, she began to drift towards sleep, the words of one of the carols they had sung at school running through her mind:

I love Thee, Lord Jesus
Look down from the sky
And stay by my side,
'Til morning is nigh.

#2: Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 5:07 am

That was lovely, a beautiful insight into Robin's thought processes.

Thank you.

#3: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 9:07 am

Thank you Secret Santa for such a beautiful story, you cfould not have written me anything better. You have actually made me cry.

#4: Author: Rachael,

Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 9:38 am

Beautiful, Santa

*echoes Lesley & Susan*

#5: Author: Gem, Location: Saltash, Cornwall (holidays), Aberystwyth (termtime from September)

Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 9:40 am

Beautiful, Santa. Thank you Smile

#6: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 11:03 am

Oh, that was beautiful...and so right for Susan as well.

Thank you Santa.

#7: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 1:10 pm

That was lovely, Santa. Thank you.

#8: Author: Sugarplum, Location: second star to the right!

Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 3:35 pm

Awww that was so lovely.

#9: Author: Helen P, Location: Cheshire

Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 9:01 pm

Thankyou Santa - that was wonderful.

#10: Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia

Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2004 3:43 am

What a lovely insight into Robin!

#11: Author: Dawn, Location: Leeds, West Yorks

Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2004 6:57 pm

That was just lovely Santa - sad but warm and fluffy too

#12: Author: JustJen, Location: waiting for a bus

Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2004 7:08 pm

That was a lovely fic. Thank you for posting it
Merry Christmas

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