12/23/2024
Every year I share the story of the Christmas that made me the person that I am. I hope you enjoy the true story of
"The Accidental Christmas. "
I still remember just like it was yesterday!
The Accidental Christmas"
Debra Jayne East
In the mountains of Hillsville, Virginia, Christmas day was pretty cold for a twelve-year-old girl with no mittens or a decent coat in 1968. Being the oldest of six girls, I had been outside that evening with my mom helping to cut firewood wearing my dad’s old jacket. He worked in the train yard and had slipped and fell off of a boxcar a week earlier. My father was badly injured in the fall and suffered a broken arm and collarbone. He couldn’t drive or do his job for six weeks. That was devastating news for a family of eight. This took place in the days when small town job places had no workman’s comp, no disability pay and no health insurance.
I overheard my dad tell my mom he only had $13.50 left in his pocket here at Christmas. Not much was left in the house to eat that week. We were lucky to have one meal a day. This made Christmas all the more sad and depressing for my parents. Being children we just made do with what we were given and didn't complain even when our stomachs growled in bed at night.
On Christmas Eve all my younger sisters kept asking when Santa would get there? My father, not wanting to break their hearts, told them the snow was too heavy for Santa to find our house. Quietly, we absorbed this and went back to playing until it was almost bedtime.
Right at nine o’clock as we were getting ready to turn in, we saw headlights coming down our driveway. My mother ran to the window with my father wondering what crazy fool would drive down a steep hill to our house to get stuck on Christmas Eve?
My dad went outside on the porch and we could see through the curtains it was our landlord Mr. Tabor and his son, Tommy. They carried heavy boxes and went back to their jeep to get more. They talked in hushed tones for a few minutes and then they helped my Dad bring everything inside and they left quickly before the snow got any deeper. There were three boxes filled with foods of every kind. There was ham, potatoes, canned goods, oranges, old fashioned peppermint stick candy and two large mysterious bags.
My mother smiled slowly, her eyes lit up with happiness and asked my dad who had sent this to us? Choked with emotion...he told us Mr. Tabor’s church had heard about his accident and about six little girls who would get nothing for Christmas. Mr.Tabor wanted to do something to let us know they loved us and wanted to help. He also told my dad he did not have to pay rent until he returned back to work. My dad was overwhelmed and his face showed it. I almost thought I saw tears in his eyes.
Then my father placed the two bags in the center of all us children. Those held something I had never experienced before--wrapped gifts with pretty bows and with each of our names written on tags. My sisters marveled at red foil boxes filled with candy and paper dolls. One of my sisters said Santa had accidently come after all. My mom said, no girls, it was no accident and smiled. I will never forget how happy my mom’s face looked.
I stared at the gift with my name on it. Carefully, I unwrapped beautiful hand knitted mittens and a scarf made just for me. I marveled that Mr. Tabor’s church and God himself loved us without even knowing us. The thought that someone cared enough to do this for my family touched me to my core. All my life, I have carried this message with me during the holidays. God cares and loves all of us.
Every year When the snowflakes fall, I remember the “accidental” Christmas. Through the years, I’m still inspired to do the same for others as that church did for all of us. God’s love truly is the gift that keeps on giving.
I hope this inspires someone to do something in the memory of this event that changed my life.I still try to help others and show people someone cares. After all these years, I still remember that night. In the days ahead let's create special memories...not just on Christmas but every day we are blessed to live.Thank you for letting me share. Season's blessings to you all. Merry Christmas to one and all!
