Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Home for Christmas (11/20/08)
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TITLE: Merryville for Christmas | Previous Challenge Entry
By Mildred Sheldon
11/26/08 -
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Macy’s Department store was hiring and I started my new job. My goal was to be manager and have my own store as soon as possible. I had been so busy building my career that nothing else matter except my job. I had forgotten family, friends and God. The holidays came and went before I realized the New Year had begun.
Time slowed down after the first of the year and I had time to think about what I had done. I sat in my tiny apartment with my head in my hands feeling as if the world had ended. My heart broke and I cried out to God.
“Lord, forgive my self absorption with my own life. I have forgotten everything I had been taught. I placed you on the back burner and forgotten the values I had been raised with. Please forgive me.” I prayed.
The year flew by and I was promoted to assistant manager by Thanksgiving. I immediately called mom and dad. “I’ve been promoted to assistant manager.” I said. I had so many new responsibilities that I didn’t have time to slow down or even think about the holiday season. Everything once again was rush, rush and I was running around trying to keep my department running smoothly. Black Friday was horrible. Customers were frantically rushing around trying to find the best bargains available. When the store closed, I dragged my tired aching body to my car thanking God that I had two days to recuperate from the madness of the holiday season in the big city.
Monday came and we were so busy with everything that I didn’t have time to slow down or even think about how close Christmas was. On my days off, which were rare, I ran out and bought gifts for my loved ones back in Merryville. I wrapped the gifts and mailed them so they would get there before Christmas.
Since I was the newest assistant manager I had been informed that I would be working Christmas eve which meant I wouldn’t be home for Christmas. I called mom and dad. “I can’t come home for Christmas because I have to work.” I said. My heart was in my shoes as I returned to my tiny apartment. Oh how I wished I could be home for Christmas.
Christmas Eve was an absolute mad house. Last minute shoppers were rushing around and everybody’s nerves were completely frazzled when the store closed. The store looked as if a cyclone had hit it. The shelves were bare and the clothes from the clothing department were everywhere through out the store. Toys in the middle of isles along with cards, wrapping paper and anything else our large department store sold.
I dreaded all the work that lay ahead of us. We worked feverishly hanging clothes, picking up toys, wrapping paper, art supplies and whatever else had been scattered all over the store. It was 1:30 A.M. when we finished getting the store back in order.
I got to my car and drove home to my empty apartment to face another lonely Christmas. Oh, how I longed to spend Christmas with my family but they were too far away and I would never make it home in time to celebrate Christmas.
I was sound asleep when I heard someone pounding on my apartment door. Who in the world would be knocking at my apartment door at 8:00 A.M. on Christmas day? I dragged my tired body out of bed grabbed my heavy robe and made my way to the door.
I looked through the peephole and saw a big sign that said Merry Christmas. I couldn’t see who was holding the sign but I could hear giggles coming from outside my apartment. I slowly opened the door and to my surprise, my whole family stood there grinning from ear to ear. Everybody yelled. “Merry Christmas Bryan.”
I threw on some clothes and we made our way to the hotel for breakfast. I may not have been able to go home for Christmas but my wonderful family decided to bring Christmas to me instead.
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