Maggie's Christmas Miracle
A Short Story
It was the middle of the night, and Maggie lay awake looking out the window by her bed. She had lived in this massive old house for a few weeks, but it still felt strange. Even though she was in a room with rows and rows of beds where about a dozen other girls slept, she felt lonely.
Maggie sat huddled on her bed with a blanket around her shoulders, looking outside, sighing every now and then. The leafless tree branches were lit up by street lamps. She liked to see if she could see shapes in them. She could almost imagine a pair of pink silk ballet slippers at the end of two long ballerinas’ legs outlined by some tree branches. The scene was almost comforting.
Maggie secretly wanted to be a ballerina. She had peeked through a doorway at the school she used to go to, where she saw a class of girls like herself, not quite six yet, looking like dolls in their gossamer pink Tutus with matching leotards and ballet shoes.
They were all lined-up copying movements their teacher performed. She tried to stand on her tippy toes like they were doing. “I can do this,” she had thought. She closed her eyes tightly and wished as hard as she could. She wanted to be one of them.
That was before she’d been taken away from her mommy and dad.
Small snow drifts started scurrying across the black pavement on the road below her window. It was very dark and quiet. No cars were going by at all. She watched as large snowflakes started to float lazily down into the street, increasing until she couldn’t see through the falling snow any longer.
The only sounds in the room were the other girls breathing softly. Once in a while, one would startle a bit as if to wake up before sinking again into sleep. Maggie’s eyes began to close, she yawned, and without knowing when it happened, she fell asleep.
When Maggie woke up, the other girls were stretching, chatting, and giggling loudly. The room spilled over with pandemonium. Everywhere girls were getting dressed, chiding each other to hurry up as they all took turns in the one bathroom down the hall.
“Did you take the last of the tooth powder, Cindy?” One of the girls called out.
“No, I ain’t done that. It was empty when I got there. Damm, I wish we got toothpaste and our own tubes too!”
Suddenly a loud buzzing sound came up from downstairs.
“Hurry and get dressed!” shouted one of the older girls in Maggie’s direction, “There won’t be any breakfast left by the time you get there!”
The buzzer turned into a bell sound, and all you could hear above the ringing were the footsteps of the girls rushing down the stairs toward the kitchen.
Somehow Maggie managed to arrive only a few seconds after the others and take her place at one of the long tables in a room just off the kitchen. It had large bay windows facing out into a large open patio cordoned off by deep green bushes, which were now sugar frosted with snow. Inside, the faded wallpaper was covered with a vintage print of yellow roses among brambles of tangled rose branches and leaves on which Robins, Bluebirds, and Orioles perched here and there. The Breakfast Room, as it was called, was where the girls ate all of their meals unless it was a special occasion.
The toast with strawberry jam was good that morning. It was just like mommy used to make before Maggie, and her two younger brothers had been taken away from their parents. Even though the toast was good, it stuck in her throat. It only brought back the realization that she was not at home. She was alone.
Not long after Maggie and her siblings had been brought to this place, her brothers had been taken somewhere else. She missed them terribly.
Still, she was surrounded by a gaggle of about forty other girls, mostly older than her, and the House Mother.
Mother Siddall was nice enough, but she always had a sour look on her face. Even though all the girls were instructed to call her “Mother,” she was not motherly at all! Or at least not like Maggie’s mommy, who looked at her children with a kind sweetness in her eyes. Even with her handicap, Maggie’s mommy was, in many ways, a good mother.
Maggie loved the stories her mommy had read to her; “Heidi” was her favorite, and next was “Black Beauty.” Maggie wanted to be just like *Heidi. If she ever had a friend like Clara, she would help her get well too. There were no horse-drawn carriages on the streets these days, but if she saw anyone beating a horse like Black Beauty, Maggie knew she would save him. She did not understand how anyone could be so unkind.
Maggie could not understand why she and her brothers had been taken away. It was not fair! How could she be taken from loving arms and placed in such cold ones? Tearfully wrenched away… she and her brothers were strapped into the back of a police car. Maggie had tried to comfort them. She was the big sister; it was her job to protect them!
She didn’t realize until years later how brave she had sounded by speaking up and objecting to what was happening.
It was a stern, almost uncaring voice that boomed back at her. “Little girl, you have no idea! Your mother can’t look after you; the sooner you get that into your head, the better. Just be a good girl now; you will forget all about this in time.”
At that moment, Maggie resolved - never, ever to forget.
Maggie knew they were trying to explain things to her, but from Maggie’s point of view, the whole thing was just cruel! She had felt like Black Beauty must have felt after he had been whipped.
As good as things mostly were in the “Children’s Aide Home, it was not home. On the outside, she did go along and tried her best to be a good girl. On the inside, not being with her family was terribly lonely and hurtful. After some time had passed, she began to understand why others could think her mother was incapable. If only her dad had not been away working at the time, things might have turned out differently.
With snow piled up on the ground outside the windows, Maggie knew it would soon be Christmas.
“Mommy always made us each a Christmas stocking,” Maggie thought to herself and wondered if there would be a stocking this Christmas. It was not an ornate fancy stocking like you could see in store windows; they were old-style lady’s winter stockings filled to the top with tangerines, walnuts in the shell, popcorn, gingerbread cookies, and chocolates. Maggie knew her mommy filled the stockings even though she insisted Santa Claus had brought them.
Maggie remembered the story of Christmas her mommy told her.
“Now, Maggie, Christmas is not only about stockings filled with goodies,” her mommy began. “A very long time ago, there was an extra large twinkling star in the night sky. God made the star shine so shepherds and travelers riding on camels in the desert would be curious and follow it. Lo and behold, they followed the star and found Baby Jesus, with his mother, Mary, in a lowly manger among the animals. The Christ Child had just been born, and that was the first Christmas Miracle.”
Maggie knew the story by heart.
“The shepherds were so amazed when a beautiful Angel visited them that they went by night with their flocks of sheep to the manger. The Shepherds were the first to sing praises to the Christ Child. They gave a sheep’s wool blanket to keep Baby Jesus warm. To this day, on Christmas Eve, all sheep everywhere bow their heads in praise.
The travelers who came on camels became wise men because they decided not to tell the King, Horrible Herod the Jealous, about the Baby Jesus, who was the prophesied King of kings and Lord of lords.
So even though Jesus’ mother, Mary, and her husband Joseph were in a far-off land among strangers, God’s love went before them to guide them home again.”
“Always remember, Maggie,” she could remember her mommy saying, “No matter what, remember, God always gives us a Christmas Miracle. Sometimes you must search for it, but it is always there.”
Maggie was jolted out of her daydream by one of the older girls calling her. “Hey you, Mag, get your coat and boots on. It’s time to walk to school.”
Maggie and her new friend, Anna, walked together to school through the freshly fallen snow. Anna threw a handful of snow in the air. It sparkled in the sunshine as it fell to the ground. Both girls laughed as they ran along.
Maggie was in grade one now. The teacher read them stories and showed them how to make letters. The teacher said that when they knew all the letters, it would open the door to a gazillion stories!
The whole class colored and cut out pictures. They played Jumping Jacks and sometimes held hands in a circle and danced to some music. Maggie liked this new school as much as her old one.
Anna chattered away as they hurried to school. “How ya doin girl-friend, ya gettin on the good side of Mother Siddall in the big house? I know it is not that great at first, but you’ll do ok after a while.”
The next day was Saturday, and Maggie stared aimlessly out a downstairs window. It was snowing again, and she watched as big wet snowflakes floated down and plopped themselves one by one on top of others. It was like a moving curtain hiding everything behind it.
Suddenly, head down; she saw her mommy walking through the snow! Maggie blinked. Yes, it was her mother!
Maggie was so excited that she ran towards the front door, where her mother was headed. Across the large sitting room, towards the hallway, she only had one more door to go through, and she would be in her mommy’s arms. But, just as the door opened, Maggie stopped short. She could hear Mother Siddall turning mommy away.
“Maggie will only be upset if she sees you,” Mother Siddall said coldly, “She is just now starting to settle in. We don’t want her to be upset. We think it will be better for you to leave.”
Maggie watched as her mommy turned around sadly, and the big heavy wooden door closed and locked behind her.
Maggie ran upstairs to the bedroom and crawled under the covers on her bed, heaving great sobs. “How mean!” she thought, “If I had been able to see my mommy, I could have hugged her, and I know that would have made me feel better. I don’t understand… I really, really don’t understand.”
Maggie and the other girls went to Sunday School every week. This was a place where Maggie felt safe. Her Sunday School teacher was a gentle, kindly woman, and although old, her face had an odd yet beautiful light that shone through. She reminded Maggie a little bit of her grandma, who she also missed terribly.
The teacher told the class one Sunday before Christmas, “God always hears the prayers of a sincere heart.” Later, when the lesson was over, she bent down and whispered in Maggie’s ear, “You know, the very best kind of prayer is to listen for God’s voice.”
Days went by, more snow piled up, and Maggie made some friends. They laughed and involved her in games and fun activities. The older girls even put on a play, especially for Mother Siddall. Maggie was Rudolph, and the girls painted her nose a bright red to play the part.
Maggie was starting to fit in, but inside, she was still sad. She missed her brothers and worried about how they were.
Whenever she felt sad, Maggie closed her eyes tightly and tried to listen to see if she could hear God’s voice. She tried to be strong. She found things to appreciate. Maggie especially liked having fruit salad with ice cream for dessert on Sundays.
Christmas Eve arrived. Maggie thought it best if she tried to forget all about getting a Christmas Stocking.
When Maggie woke up, she found herself alone in the bedroom. She wondered where all the other girls could be. So rubbing her eyes, Maggie quickly exchanged her nightie for some blue slacks, a white T-shirt, and a thick wool pink sweater. She ran out into the hall at the top of the big staircase. She started down the steps and saw a giant Christmas tree covered with ornaments and colorful lights. Underneath were piles of beautifully wrapped packages with big bows. She could hear the girl’s twittering and giggling with excitement.
She had never seen such a Christmas tree before. It all looked festive and beautiful, but she didn’t see any Christmas stockings. None like they had in-store windows, nor any like her mommy made.
As she reached the last step, one of the older girls came over and said, “Maggie, I was wondering where you were. Come and join in. I think there might be a package under the tree for you too.”
Maggie thought, “Oh really? Could there be something for me?
She took her place with the other girls. Santa Claus was sitting near the Christmas Tree, handing out presents. He looked just like he did in pictures. He had a long white beard and was dressed all in red with white fur trimming.
Santa Claus called out Maggie’s name.
Maggie walked up to the front between the girls, who were all sitting cross-legged around the tree, and Santa. She reached her hands out and took the box wrapped in pink and silver paper with a big white bow on top. Bringing it back to her seat, she slowly started to open it.
“Hurry up, Maggie, what did ya get?” a couple of girls called out to her. “Go faster. Just rip it open!” Maggie finally got all the paper off, neatly folding it as it was too pretty to crumple up. The now open box had a see-through lid showing a tiny chinaware tea set.
Maggie took some chinaware out of the box. She could hardly believe how pretty and delicate it was.
Someone started handing out cookies, and Maggie felt all warm inside. She felt good about being surrounded by the other girls. She missed home, but she was having a good time.
The girls played with their gifts, and some exchanged with others for something they liked better. Maggie decided she wanted to keep her tea set. When all the gifts had been handed out, Mother Siddall rang a little bell to call the girls to come for Christmas lunch in the dining room. The table was filled with all kinds of good things to eat. Santa even came in with the girls and sat at the head of the table.
In a deep voice, Santa said, “Ho, Ho, Ho, this is very Merry. I do think I’ll tarry for a morsel of that delicious-looking cake. Goodness, those Raspberry tarts look fine. Yes, they do….”
After lunch, the older girls said they would spend the afternoon reading and recovering from eating so much. However, everyone was asked to gather again in the Christmas Tree room.
As Maggie entered the room, she saw some rows of seated adults waiting patiently. They were parents!
All at once, Maggie spotted her mommy and dad; before she knew it, she ran over to them. Maggie flew into her mother’s outstretched arms as fast as she could. In her dad’s arms was a Christmas Stocking, just like the ones she used to get at home.
This was a Christmas Miracle!
Her parents had another present for her, too; it was a picture of two children crossing a bridge with a beautiful Angel guiding them.
Maggie’s mommy smiled lovingly at her and said, “This is to hang by your bed, and whenever you feel lonely, remember Angels are always looking out for you.”
Maggie could hardly believe it. She was so glad her parents were there. It felt so wonderful to see them. Dad said, “We visited your little brothers earlier this morning, and they are fine. Somehow we will find a way to bring you all home again.”
Although things didn’t turn out as they all wished, Maggie did get to go home eventually. Sometimes she lived with foster families. And she even got to live with her grandmother alone on a mountaintop for a whole year. That was amazing!
Whatever happened, she always kept her family’s love close to her heart.
As happens from time to time in most people’s lives, Maggie faced challenges and situations that were difficult to understand. Even though she made mistakes. When things got tough, Maggie tried to remember what her Sunday School teacher had told her that day. When she became quiet and listened, it would help her find a way to cope.
Maggie tried to realize that the Grace of God is always present. That Angels are always there to help us cross every bridge.
And, you know what? A Miracle often appears as soft as a whisper, seemingly out of nowhere, even when it is not yet Christmastime!
Wishing you Happy Holidays with many good times with family and friends. Make many wonderful memories together.
Merry Christmas,
Trina
Trina Astor-Stewart
Author & Illustrator
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1 *The Novel Heidi, written by Johanna Spyri, was based on a real person named Heidi Schwaller.
