It was the eve to Christmas, and in the town of Hawkins, jingles could be heard all about. The streets were covered with twinkling lights glittering in different colours. Snow covered the whole town like a blanket, songs of Christmas> and carols echoed loudly in every house and streets. The festivity was literally in the air.
Ten years old Emily Rogers stood in the window, her feet slightly raised forward, her neck stretched like a giraffe, as she silently watched her neighbors set up their Christmas trees, carrying gifts here and there and laughing all about.
But in the Rogers house, things were a bit awfully quiet than usual. Mr Rogers, Emily's dad, had lost his job two months back, and this year’s Christmass wasn't like any other Christmas. There were no decorations, no big Christmass tree, no flickering lights and more importantly, those sweet aromas that used to come from the kitchen were not where to be found. Mum didn't cook her usual fried chicken, fried rice and salad. Christmass felt dull but Emily still kept her hopes up, desperately wishing perhaps a Christmas miracle would somehow happen.
She walked into the kitchen, where her mum was, stirring the pot of soup she had made for dinner. It was the only thing they could afford for now.
“Mummy,” she called in a quiet, timid voice.
“Yes honey”.
“Can we at least hang the empty socks out for decorations even if there's nothing inside?” she said with wide eyes.
“Of course darling, Christmas is still Christmas” her mother answered gently, with a warm smile, holding up her chin to look her in the eye.
Later that night, they hung the empty socks by the fireplace. Her father, Mr Rogers had gone to bed early, tired and worn out from searching for work everywhere, with still no results. Emily felt a tightness in her chest. Her father always loved Christmas. Seeing him this way, so frustrated and sad, hurt more than anything.
That night, before Emily finally went to bed, she looked through her windows and stared at the stars, the moon was full. Then she thought of making a wish.
“Perhaps the heavens would hear me” she thought to herself.
“Please, let's have a Christmas miracle” she said before drifting off to sleep.
Funny enough, things were already in motion for little Emily.
—
Down town, a few miles away from Hawkins, in the neighbouring city lived a man named Mr Jude. He was just closing up his toy repair shop, finally deciding to retire after running it for about thirty years now. He had no family, as they were all gone. His brother, whom he started the business with, passed away a long time ago. Now he thought it was time to close up for good.
As he went through the remaining toys remaining in storage that no one had come for. His eyes landed on an old box filled with toys his late brother had personally crafted with his hands to be donated a long time ago.
He paused in his tracks, deep in thoughts. Then suddenly, he wrapped them with a gift wrap, and attached a small piece of paper to it, writing,
“To someone who needs Christmas a little more this year”.
After locking up his shop, he carried the gift he had in his hands, entered his car, turned on his ignition and drove off to no particular destination in mind. However, the car suddenly stopped at Hawkins, having run out of fuel.
—
It was around 5am when Emily heard a faint knock on the door. Her parents were still asleep. But she was wide awake and she heard it. She tiptoed down the stairs quietly, careful not to make any sound. As she peeped through there was no one here, only a small package.
She hesitated.
Then slowly opened the door, looking around. Only footprints disappearing into the snow could be seen. She carried in the package and unwrapped it. Gasping as she saw what was inside. Different kinds of toys, carved and polished to shine. With a note that read. “To someone who needs Christmas a little more”. Tears welled up in her eyes. The heavens heard her prayer. A Christmass miracle afterall.
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She ran to wake her parents.
Her parents, half asleep, read the note and smiled.
That morning things were a bit brighter in the Rogers house. Mr Rogers cooked an enticing breakfast. They played games, sang carol songs, danced and told stories. As the day went on, Emily played with her new toys, smiling more than she had in months. Even though there were no presents. They celebrated with the little things.
That year Christmas wasn't big or grand, it wasn't shiny or filled with glitter. But it was filled with kindness, love and a small reminder that even the smallest gift when given with love can find its way to a heart that needs it the most.