Christmas Short Story Party – Guest Post

One of my previous guest writers has been my good friend for years, Bernadette Inclan.  She is one of the individuals who encouraged me to write my memoirs. I have shared several of her pieces, but the latest was back in October of this year entitled “That Particular Night”.

I posted her Christmas short story last year, and it gives me pleasure to share it with you again. It took me back to my childhood sharing the mystery, and the true meaning of Christmas.

The Christmas Mr. and Mrs. Santa Visited

A long time ago on the island of Galveston, Texas, there lived a young couple by the name of Boomers. The Boomers had been married for several years, and they had no children. Before Christmas each year, they would go to the local stores and purchase toys for their numerous nieces and nephews.

Alternately, to celebrate the holidays, they would travel to Texas City and Sabinas Hidalgo, Mexico. Christmas Day, they would bask in the merriment of children’s raucous joy and family warmth.

For tens years they remained childless. Then they had a boy followed fourteen months with a girl. Their lives changed and their happiness as a family contented. Each year when the Christmas holidays approached, they continued the tradition of buying toys for family and the family pilgrimage.
As her children grew, Mamma Boomer tried to teach them the intention of Christmas. She taught them the religious stories of Christmas. She also taught them that Christmas was a time for giving. Yet she noticed her little Boomers appeared resentful for the toys given each year to the nieces and nephews. When Momma Boomer let them share a game or puzzle, she solved her problem. Now her little Boomers happily helped in selecting the toys for the family.

Down at the end of their street, lived an older couple named Goldstein. They had no children, and both Mr. and Mrs. Goldstein worked. When they were at home, the neighbors rarely saw them. Little Boy Boomer asked his papa why the Goldsteins never came to the neighborhood parties. Papa Boomer said he didn’t know, but his son should respect them and leave them alone.

The year that the Boomer children were in first and second grade, there was an accident where their papa worked. He was injured and spent weeks in the hospital. When Papa Boomer left the hospital, he still could not work. The family survived on minimal subsidy from the state. The local grocer in their neighborhood helped by allowing them to charge for their food. Even when this period was tough, Momma and Papa Boomer didn’t let it affect the happiness in their home.

With Christmas fast approaching, Momma Boomer worried how they would give their little Boomers an enjoyable Christmas. They had no money for a tree, and there would be no traditional presents for the nieces and nephews. She did not want her little Boomers sad and not enjoy their Christmas.
Momma with the help of Papa Boomer took the ornaments they used to decorate their tree and decorated the house. They hung the garland around the windows and the brightly colored bulbs in bowls. They placed the Nativity scene in its place of honor. The house looked cheerful even with the absence of a tree.

Christmas Eve Momma and Papa cheerfully cooked for the evening’s festivities. They would attend Midnight Mass at their church. With the ingredients for tamales, Papa Boomer spread masa on the cornhusk, while Momma filled and wrapped the tamales. The little Boomers were running around the house excitedly sensing the joy of Christmas Eve. Momma Boomer in an attempt to calm the hyperactivity of her little Boomers told them that Santa wouldn’t come if they didn’t settle down. It was a temporary solution.

At nine o’clock, there was a knock at the door. The little boomers answered finding Mr. and Mrs. Goldstein. In their arms, they held a large box filled with wrapped gifts and a Christmas tree. Not only the little Boomers, but Momma and Papa were surprised since the Goldsteins rarely ventured out. As they entered, Mrs. Goldstein questioned why the little Boomers were not in bed. Momma Boomer explained they were preparing to attend Midnight Mass.
Mr. Goldstein was in a tailored suit, and Mrs. Goldstein wore a full-length fur coat. They brought toys for the little Boomers and gifts for Momma and Papa. The Goldsteins sat with the Boomers to enjoy the freshly prepared tamales.

As the evening progressed, they decorated the tree, and the gifts opened. The tree sparkled and the holiday cheer filled the house. The Boomers invited and the Goldsteins accepted the invitation to attend Midnight Mass together. It would be the Goldsteins first experience sharing Christmas with a Mexican family. It would also be the first time the Boomers shared Christmas with a Jewish family.

When Momma Boomer was putting her little Boomers to bed, she remarked how great it was they had Mr. and Mrs. Santa visit that evening. Boy Boomer asked why Momma called the Goldsteins Mr. and Mrs. Santa. Momma explained this was a special year. Santa knew we needed extra help and sent the Goldsteins as his helper.

After that year, the little Boomers always remembered that special Christmas when Mr. and Mrs. Santa came to visit. Every year they would find a needy family. On Christmas Eve, they would take gifts and a tree so the needy family would experience a visit from Santa’s helpers. They learned the life lesson it fulfills the joy of Christmas by giving to others.

Bernadette Inclan, SJHMC is a Cytotechnologist recently retired from St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center in Phoenix, Az. She was a graduate student at the University of Texas at San Antonio and received her master’s in health care administration from Southwest Texas State. Originally from Galveston Texas, she has lived in San Antonio, San Diego, Ca. and now resides in Phoenix. In addition to her love of writing short stories, Bernadette does extensive research in the area of Mexican – American history and genealogy. She does most of her writing in this genre and has been published in genealogy publications. Bernadette is married with two sons and a granddaughter

Feature Image from funnyexpo.com