Writer Unblocked

Calum climbed in to bed on Christmas Eve, a heaviness in his heart where Dad should be. He missed him so much at this time of year. Another Christmas Day would dawn, with another empty spot at the table.

When he woke up, he clambered clumsily to the window and then gasped.

**

Dawn was excited, her first Christmas as a mother! She ran downstairs and then stopped. Where was her Christmas tree?

All over the village, families were waking up and were dumbstruck. Where had their Christmas tree gone!

**

Calum rushed out his front door, and stopped in speechless wonder.

**

Five year old Bernie jumped up and down in rage. “I am going to find my Christmas tree!” he shouted as he ran out the front door.

**

Calum walked around his courtyard, the first smile he had worn in months on his face. Christmas had really arrived!

**

Santa Claus hid behind a wall and watched as the children of the village descended on Calum’s front courtyard. They were shrieking in delight. Calum welcomed them with open arms. It was time to party like only children can. They chased and screamed around the garden, in and out of the twenty or so Christmas trees that had appeared there overnight, a true Santa’s grotto.

And under each tree were very special presents, with the name of each child on them. Santa had visited, and he had now left a mark on each child’s soul that would last their entire life.

The spirit of Christmas rained down on Calum’s garden, as magic melted in each child’s heart. Calum would not feel alone again, now he had some new friends. And Christmas was complete.

Santa softly departed, a smile in his soul that would never go.