Prayers Answered
Snow clung to a small mulberry tree in the distance. It was a sad reminder of the old cotton fields nestled close to where Josie used to call home. Snow was something different, like something pure. Still, Josie was lost in a state of misery. She peered through the narrow window that overlooked the Brooklyn Bridge, where icicles hung. This was Josie’s view when she sat up in the army cot, which was her bed in their three-room apartment on the sixth floor. Cold air stung her tiny face, like cold fingers left uncovered during a harsh winter day. Most days, it felt like an invisible veil of sorrow was smothering her, except when she was sleeping, and God’s angels were her playmates.
Josie longed for the smell of the pine trees, for here, there was no place to hide. She cried most nights while left alone in that frightening building. Her father had a bartending job at the NCO Club in the evening, and her mother would sneak out when she thought Josie was asleep. Dad worked a night job to supplement his meager salary with the military, Mom had explained, but they would both come stumbling back drunk. Josie was all alone in this concrete jungle.
She had met two little girls who lived next door. On rare occasions, Josie got to play with the girl who was her age, and also went to P.S. 104 on the same bus. Then she never saw her again, or her little sister, who was a precious two-year-old. One morning, Josie noticed the girl no longer got on the school bus, and that day, she decided to mention it to her mom.
To continue reading, please visit Hotel Masticadores. May God bless everyone with a Merry Christmas!
May every day be like Christmas in our hearts, and may our prayers be with those who have so little. I am grateful for the gift of Grace, this Christmas, as I am year-round. Thank you to all people, worldwide and may this new year bring more happy times. Love to each of you. Joni
An inspiring story wonderfully
narrated, Joni.
Merry Christmas to you and
yours 🌟🙏🎄🎁 😎
Dearest David, Thank you so much for listening and I already told Scott that you liked his narration. When Mich asked me to write the “Christmas Story,” I was honored, but only one story kept coming to mind. This is a completely true story except for the dog. Can you imagine a little 2nd grader being pulled for a school room where two grades were in the same room, because it was in the middle of a tiny country town in the South, and taken to Brooklyn. I bet you would have even gotten into trouble. Recess was standing in single file lines on the roof of the school. We had to hold a book and either read or pretend to be reading and we were not allowed to speak. What a nightmare and a frightening place for a little girl to live. Thank you for listening to my story and I wish you and yours the most amazing Christmas ever David. Much love coming your way.
You know me well, Joni.
I would surely have got into trouble
. . . on the double 😎😎
Yes, indeed. You would have ran away from that meanie in the hallway, and been swinging on the old lights in the stairwell. haha – what a nightmare, it is hard for me to believe that kids had to endure that kind of craziness and think that is what childhood school days were like. I mean mine were far from normal but I played at recess, skipped rope and talked all the time. Maybe you would have come to my rescue and we would have been friends. Making my rounds during this quiet Christmas weekend. So will be stopping by your site today to see what kind of trouble the two of you have gotten into. Sending out lots of blessings my friend.
Congraatulations, Joni. merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you to Tim and thank you for listening or reading. I had no idea I had written such a long story. I bet the kitties are opening their new gifts today and I hope that you all have the most relaxing and wonderful Christmas ever. Blessings to you and yours both inside the house and all the beautiful creatures that seem to make their home on your property. I think animals can sense the love in people and they know things about us that we don’t even know about ourselves. I am aware that sounds a little bit crazy but I believe it to be true. Just like so many people don’t know that trees not only protect themselves but they talk to each other through a neuro-net which is made of fungus. Your trees know that they are loved where they are and I hope fifty and one-hundred years from now they will still be there as will the generations of owls that have made your land and those trees their homes. Delighting and giving your readers hope for our land, animals and nature. Thank you for that Timothy and for seeing the beauty in all creatures and sharing that gift with us. Love Joni
So nice that your marvelous story was posted there, Joni. Merry Christmas to you and your family. 🤶😍🙏
Thank you so much, Timothy and merry Christmas to you and your family which I believe you are spending time with today. We will be communicating with ours today, but they are all in Hawaii and in Washington state so we will be together and counting our blessings. Many thanks for being my friend for so many years.
This is gorgeous writing on all levels, Joni. The fairy theme, the kind teacher, the Christmas miracles…it has the feel of a classic Christmas tale. To know much of this is based on true events makes it even more heartbreaking/heartwarming. You wield a masterful pen regardless of what you choose to write–poetry, prose, whatever–and this is no exception. How wonderful to have this piece published on Christmas Day at Hotel! And what a treat for all of us who get to read it!
Wishing you and Scott a grand Christmas and New Year. I look forward to whatever else comes from your golden pen, my dear friend. 😊🙏
Thank you so much dearest Mike. You are very kind. I appreciate your sweet words Mike, as it was difficult for me to write such a basic piece. You know me I like my metaphors and my imagination. I was in the second grade and everything about that experience was a nightmare. The little girls right next door – the little one stuck a fork right into the socket and her mom was never the same – can you imagine. Two babies gone at once. Everything about Brooklyn except for my teacher was so frightening. I have never forgotten that trip to the subway and then eventually to Rockefeller Center, and my parents, bless their hearts, were sober. My father was very nervous I could tell that they both were, they probably suffered from the same PTSD that I do now. Anyway, thank you so much for the compliment as I not only feared I went on far to long, but I am not sure how I kept anyone’s interest. Now a days my insights tell me, for example, except for those who love us and are truly our friends, the average time on my instagram pages for example, is 4 seconds. Anyway, Mich was gracious to offer me the Christmas post. I am thankful that my friends read my story. The words of a second grader are not that exciting. However, I was grateful for that night, I wish the ending would have also been true. The good news was we were back to the “Big Four,” by spring. I never did understand what kind of job my dad was doing for the military there. Thank you again for your gracious words my friend and for reading. Hugs and love
Joni your story touched my heart! It was beautiful! Xoxo
Dearest Carol, I was so touched that you listened to my story. It was extremely long, as I admit that I got carried away writing. Most of the story was true except for the part about the dog. Many blessings to you and I hope that you are feeling well and having an amazing new year. Much love to you and your family. Big hugs, Joni
Congratulations!
Thank you so much Dawn.