A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE

Well here we are, Christmas Eve, and about to celebrate another great Christmas with the family.  I think it is impossible, at least for us old folks, to enjoy a new Christmas without at some point in the festivities, stopping to remember memorable moments of past Christmases.  Mine generally revolve around those particular happy times. The Roy Rogers ranch set my folks gave me when I was ten, the first Christmas with our kids, etc.etc.  I’ve never doubted it is a magical time of year and one filled with miracles.  One in particular shines bright in my thoughts this year and I’d like to share it with all of you.

Back in the early 80s my comics writing career had started and I had published several comic books from a small little outfit called Ocean Comics.  One of these being a five issue mini-series featuring an urban avenger named Street-Fighter (and no, this had nothing to do with the popular video-game).  At the time Valerie and I still worked at the local GE plant and when some of our co-workers learned that I was writing comics, they began asking me to buy some.  Thus, before each new each of Street-Fighter came out, we would get an order list and give it to the publisher.  In the end there may have been some ten to fifteen people who purchased every single issue of the series.  Of course they made sure I signed them all. Ha.  The thing is, I gave a second thought to what they were doing with the books, simply assuming they read them and then put them away.  All in the good cause of supporting a fellow co-worker, which I appreciated greatly.

Well, about a year after that series ended, my writing efforts hit hard times.  All of a sudden none of the new proposals I was sending out to various publishers were being accepted.  Rejection slips started to mount up on a steady basis and with them my natural frustration.  Seven months had gone by since I’d sold anything and I found myself in a truly depressed funk as the holiday season rolled around.  Enough so that by Christmas was only a few days away, I made the decision to stop pounding my head against that wall and simply quit.

Really.  Why did I need writing anyways?  It obviously was not ever going to make me rich.  And with these rejections, it seemed cleared most publishers didn’t think I was that good anyways.  So why put myself through the pain any longer?  It seemed the easiest thing to do was simply quit and go on with the other parts of my life.  I’d find something else to fill that void.  Yup, that’s what I would do.  Quit.  When I told Valerie my intentions, she gave me one of her patented mystery smiles (you, ala the Mona Lisa) which I’ve never been able to fathom.  I had the feeling she didn’t believe me.  But I would show her.  I was done writing.

That year, as the weather was favorable, we decided to attend one of the church’s most beautiful traditions, Midnight Mass.  Being in that decorated church, surrounded by our friends and neighbors, it was so easy to get into the proper spirit of Christmas.  To remember that we came together to remember the birth of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, who came into this world to give us the gospel of God’s love for all mankind, every single one of us.  It is a message we should never tire of hearing. 

All too soon the service was done and we filling out of the church, all the while shaking hands with people, wishing them all a joyous Merry Christmas and feeling our hearts buoyed by what we had just experienced.  Outside the air was crisp and the stars were splashed across the heaves.  It was a beautiful night.

We were walking through the parked cars when a young voice called out behind us, “Mr.Fortier?”

I stopped and turned there was this boy about ten, a stranger.  “Yes,” I smiled. 

“I’m Ben.  I’m from Texas.  Here in New Hampshire spending Christmas with my grandparents.”

“Oh.” Valerie had come to stand beside me and we were both wondering why Ben had come after me.

“My grandmother is Bea Landry.  You work with her.”

“Yes, we do.”

“She sent me all your comics.”

“Oh.”

“Street-Fighter is the best comic book I ever read.  I wanted to tell you that.”

I was speechless for a second.  “Er..oh..thank you,” I finally said.  “I’m glad you liked it.”

“It was really great.  Bye.”  Then he spun around and ran off to rejoin his folks and grandparents.  We spotted Bea and she gave us a big wave, hugging Ben to her.

As we climbed into the car, I was overwhelmed by Ben’s sincerity and gratitude.  I looked at Valerie and she smiled.  “So you’re going to quit writing, huh?”

We both started laughing a loud, happy laugh that sustained us all the way home.  Both of us knowing fully well that Ben’s presence that night had been no accident.  God had given me a miracle, one I have never forgotten.  He had heard my words and humbled me.  Each of us in the world is blessed with a talent from God, be it painting, sculpting, being good with animals, whatever.  We are given those talents to use them, not to toss them aside.

Merry Christmas to all reading these words.  May you use your talents always for the good of all and may they bring you joy and satisfaction.

                                     ZEKE THE CHRISTMAS SUPER-DOG

Valerie and the Ye Old Air Chief want to wish all you Loyal Airmen and your loved ones the most wonderful, fun filled Christmas ever.  Here's hoping Santa has a bag full of super prizes waiting for you under the tree.  God bless, and be safe.

Ron – Over & Out