Christmas Eve Trip

[Josie]

The headlights beam through the thick mist of night
while the van veers around the mountain heights.
She snuggles near her sons in sleeping bags,
buffed by the heater, north on 101.

Splinters of moonlight flash and flicker down
reveal shadowed pines and frost covered shrubs.
He hums to himself, hunched over the wheel,
wide-eyed, in case the van should slide on ice.

They recognize a familiar rest stop,
A sign says the next one is forty miles.
Their children sleep; they decide to go on.
There's one parked car; at least they’re not alone.

She shuts her eyes until her husband speaks,
"There’s a fellow bent over to keep warm.
He must have a car broken down somewhere;
it’s not a night to be out here alone.”

He pulls off on the highway's unpaved side,
insists the wife sit in the driver’s seat.
When single, he would use his thumb for rides.
He remembers how it felt to be cold.

He jogs up to the man and they converse.
She watches as they hurriedly approach.
The stranger wants a lift to the next town.
Her husband smiles and turns the van around.

The car hood is raised and both men wear frowns.
The rest stop’s phone’s been yanked and lights are out.
His wife, wrapped in a throw, clutches a child.
They scrunch together for a three hour ride.


Miles down the road, they’re singing Silent Night;
Static is all the radio will play.
Children nod off to the van's droning hum.
At dawn a destination is in sight.

The Christmas Eve travelers wave goodbye.
Grandparents hug them all with tears and smiles
It’s Christmas morning and his stomach sings.
In the next town, his folks look out and wait.

[devious83]

bravo, great read, thank you

[Dew]

What an awesome story...and probably true. The real meaning of Christmas if you will forgive the suggestion...giving up your rest, your plans, your fun, and your time to help someone who is lost in the luck-slide. It's better to be an angel than to meet one. This humbles and stimulates the conscience. So wrapped up in my own slide to see the others sliding past me. Exalt for you dear josie! - dew

[allmirth]

This is a thought provoking write. We have lost the true meaning of Christmas, if we are so focused on our own pleasure and plans that we fail to extend a hand to those in need. I like what dew said. It is better to be an angel than to meet one. Wonderful story.

Thanks so much for sharing.
Mirthy

[Josie]

Devious83, thank you for stopping by for the Christmas Eve trip. Your comment was appreciated. May your day be blessed!

Dew. It was one of those events in life where good feelings prevailed. Thank you for stopping by and leaving your thoughtful thoughts. May your day be blessed!

allmirth, When I see your name, I want to sing, "Joy, joy, joy! Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts. May your day be blessed!

[dwells]

A warm recollection Josie and guessing this was before cellphones. Not sure if the milk of human kindness and the Christmas spirit are still alive and well now as once before. I was helped once under similar circumstances and still need to pay it back - cheers!

[Josie]

Dwells,
The real Christmas spirit message was to the wife who argued with her husband about how dangerous picking up a stranger could be. Thank you for visiting this poem and leaving your kind words. I think true acts of spirit happen when you are not even aware they are happening. There are many people in my life I have never had a chance to thank!

[Moirae]

You know this was exactly the kind of poem I've been wanting to read. I'm so happy I got a chance to read this lovely Christmas story. Congratulations on the Spotlight!