Stewart had a strange feeling on Christmas Eve.
As he sat alone in his mattress-lit living room, his spine ran down the cold – not just from the cold, but from the annoying sense that something was missing. Laughter of children, the heat of the family, the joy of Christmas – all of this disappeared from his life. But when the clock struck eight, the house called the soft knock, so his heart jumped the rhythm. Who could be? He didn’t expect anyone.
The older man found himself feeling lonely, and again when he spent Christmas alone. His children rejected their invitation to celebrate together. However, he was unexpectedly uplifted when his seven -year -old grandson arrived at the door and instead of absent family members, he brought warmth and joy.
“Happy 7th birthday, Sean and Gregory,” Stewart told his twins when he handed each of them a gift bag.
“I think that is, Dad?” Sean asked, shaking excitedly with a bag.
“Please let it be the tablet I asked for!” Gregory rang.
But when they unpacked their gifts, the disappointment was washed over their faces. Inside, they found a place hoping for the gifts they had hoped for.
“I’m really sorry, people.” The money has been tight lately and I couldn’t afford what you wanted this year. But I promise to work even harder so that I can do something special next time? “Stewart apologized and was ashamed of failing to fulfill his wishes.
“I’m tired of being poor,” Sean sighed. “Gregory and I are the only ones in our class without tablets,” he murmured under his breath.
The raising of three children was incredibly demanding for Stewart. Since brs wife, he took full weight of parenting and all the financial burdens that came up with it.
One afternoon, while lifting his daughter Lucy from the Ballet practice, he noticed that she was sitting quietly with her head down, tears in her eyes.
“Dad, my classmates laughed at me because my shoes pointe are torn.” They are from the Savings store! Can we buy a new couple? Thanks to them, I feel embarrassed, ”she begged.
Stewart’s heart hurt because he knew he couldn’t afford them. “I’m sorry, sweetheart.” The moment my salary is increasing, the first thing I buy is a new pair of shoes pointe, okay? “He assured her.
“You always say that!” Lucy cried before she attacked, and Stewart felt helpless.
When Christmas arrived, Stewart wanted to do it despite financial problems. Instead of gifts, he prepared all his favorite meals for his children.
“Lucy, I baked your favorite apple cake.” Sean, I got only baked spaghetti from the store. And Gregory, I baked the whole chicken. All your favorite! Merry Christmas, my sweet children, ”he said, trying to raise his spirits.
Although they realized that there would be no gifts this year, the children did not want to dampen the mood on the holiday. They spent the evening outside, building a giant snowman and playing a playful snow piece with their father – a tradition they appreciated, even in the absence of a mother.
Suddenly there was a short knocking on the door.
Years have passed, and Stewart’s children grew up, founded their own families and continued their lives. Although they lived in the same city, they rarely took time to visit.
Stewart is often reminded of looking at old family photos. Especially one picture attracted his eye – it was with him and his children outside, building a snowman. They laughed, their smiles full of pure joy.
He remembered how he worked extra to allow Christmas dinner and small gifts for them. His gaze moved to the framed photograph of his late wife and a gentle smile on his lips.
“You didn’t age a little, my love,” he whispered. “I tried to be the best father, but our children always wanted more.” I miss you. You held everything together. ”
Stewart decided to spend another Christmas again, and decided to address his children again. “Maybe this year they will finally accept my invitation,” he thought, hopeful.
On Christmas Eve he waited by the window and watched any signs of the arrival of his children. When the night attracted, he slowly began to lose hope – until a little knocking on the door scared him.
“Hi, Grandpa,” he greeted him with a little voice.
“Time!” But that’s a surprise! “Stewart lit up.” Did you come alone? “How did you get here?”
Tim nodded sadly. “Even on Christmas Eve, my parents don’t pay attention to me.” They are too busy with work. But I know how much you like Christmas, Grandpa, so I decided to walk alone, ”the boy admitted.
In Stewart’s eyes with tears. He dressed in stunned emotions quickly. “Well, we have to celebrate properly!” Christmas should always be special. And every child deserves to play in the snow, ”he said warmly.
They got out, where Tim giggled when they put together a snowman and threw on snowballs. Stewart knew he shouldn’t stay cold for too long – his doctor warned him of the risks of heart problems and kidney problems if he got too cold. But at that moment nothing else mattered. He just wanted to make his grandson happy.
Meanwhile, Tim’s parents realized he was missing. When he finally found him, he was out, laughed and played with his grandfather in the snow. But before they could call him, Stewart suddenly collapsed. Panic set in when he rushed to the hospital.
When Stewart woke up, he found himself in a hospital bed surrounded by his children. “So, that was what it took for you to finally visit me for Christmas?” He asked a weak smile.
Gregory, Sean, a nd Lucy looked down and were blamed for them.
“Tim came to visit me because he felt ignored, even for Christmas.” If you are too busy to celebrate your holiday with your own child, what does it say about the rest of the year? “Stewart said quietly, and his voice was filled with concern.
His words hit them with a chord. Over the years, they have put too much importance on material things and did not realize that the greatest gift Stewart gave them was his time, love, and care.
After Stewart recovered, the siblings made a sincere decision – they would no longer take their father for granted. They started attending it regularly and took time for a weekend family dinner.
As the years have continued, their children approached their grandfather, listened to his stories, played in the snow and maintained the careful traditions of building snowmen together every Christmas.
And for the first time in years Stewart no longer felt alone.
conclusion
Since Christmas, Stewart has never been alone again. His children learned to appreciate the love and sacrifices that their father created for them, and realized that the family was much more valuable than any material gift. Tim’s innocent gesture revived the bond between all of them and reminded them of what really matters.
As the years have passed, Stewart’s house has become a place of heat, laughter and tradition. The house filled with the joy of family gatherings and built a snowman together – as in the past. Stewart’s heart was full because he knew he gave his children and grandchildren the greatest gift of all: lessons that were love and time spent together were the most valuable things in their lives.