by Shirley Scurlock

Created on: November 11, 2008   Last Updated: January 31, 2012

Snow lay across the lawn like a new white blanket, as we jumped in the car to go shopping. "Wal-Mart here we come" screamed Shelly, as we rounded the curve toward town. We drove a little slower at first to enjoy neighborhood homes decorated with Santa's on the roof, reindeer displays with elves, candy canes and twinkling lights.

So many cars line the streets and everyone moving at a snails pace toward the crowded shopping mall. I love to watch the trees decorated with crystal clear icicles passing my window! Really I think this would be a great time to just sleep in. I told myself, this is a family tradition, and it'll be over soon. I guess I can take a nap beside the fireplace tonight when I get home.

"We're here" shouts Shelly."

"It's like a herd of cattle running for the barn in a Tornado", I said jokingly, as they poured out of the car onto the pavement.

"I'll wait in the car, Shelly", I yelled as she ran toward the entrance!

"Finally I can take a nap, while they spend all my money."

Sleepily, I Fumbled for the knob to flip my seat up when I heard a man call my name.

I climbed out of the car to see what he wanted. "What's your name" I asked.

"Peter" he said. "They call me Peter."

Peter was a giant of a man, with a deep commanding voice. I had to look up into his eyes to talk with him. Little did I know that a miracle was standing in front of me on the sidewalk!

"Tell me John, he asked. What do you think the Christmas spirit is anyway? Do you believe this is all there is to it?" We walked together for what seemed like miles until it dawned on me that we hadn't left a note. "What if the family comes out and I'm not there" I protested.

"Don't worry" Peter said. "We'll be back in plenty of time!"

He led me to a giant building with cracked white paint, looming ominously over the smaller brightly lit shops and stores. The city has tried without success to tear it down. I noticed the door frames were broken as I turned the knob. Winter's icy winds pierced the cracks around the frame so I pulled my coat in around me for warmth. Straight ahead I saw wooden picnic tables covered with multicolored plastic table clothes and salt & pepper shakers. To the right of the door sat an old piano with every other key a dead one and dusty song books lay invitingly on the top. I sat down, trying to make sense of all this but suddenly I found myself behind the counter with a ladle in my hand. I lifted the spoon from a steaming pot of homemade soup and looked down the line

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