And French Fries

Adam could barely see Grandpa in the falling snow. It was like looking through his bedroom window blinds.

Why did they have to go for a night hike on Christmas Eve anyways? Adam should be warm in bed, not freezing here in the wild forest.

Grandpa said a little walk around their wooded property would get them in the Christmas spirit.

“Besides,” he winked, “we might even see Santa."

"Wait for me!" Adam shouted. He was like a snowplow with his “RUMM! RUMM!” sounds.

Grandpa finally stopped, and pointed to the stars. “They’re watching over us," Grandpa said.

Adam would rather be looking at a mountain of French Fries, and drinking a cup of hot chocolate. Then play with his racing cars.

He pretended to be a snowboarder when he suddenly slipped on the ice. Both legs twisted into a spaghetti heap, as he slid down the slope like a toboggan. Down and down he went, snow exploding in all directions.

Seven tumbles later Adam landed at the bottom of the hill. He was so surprised, he could barely whisper, "Grandpa."

Grandpa must still be on top of the hill. He probably is calling, “Where is my little grandson?” He knew Grandpa would walk back and forth, until he was almost dizzy. Blowing snow might cover the boy’s tracks.

Now the sky turned blacker than a magic marker. And fluffy snow dropped like goose feathers from the sky.

Around Adam, rabbits began to stir. Large snowshoe feet began to make trails for others to follow. He watched from beside a tall pine tree. Floppy ears bounced as the animals chased around thickets of brush.

Adam tried to catch one that ran between his legs. Whoops, too slow. He tried chasing it. No luck, either. At least moving around kept his feet warm.

A deer marched into an open field. Spikes on his head were like crooked fingers. The moon shone like a flashlight on the animal. If only grandpa could see this, the boy thought.

Adam didn't dare move. The beautiful deer might hear his heart pounding. Clouds floated overhead. Stars twinkled.
Finally the deer leaped into the forest, his white tail waving goodbye.

Suddenly Adam saw a bright light. Or was it a large star? He remembered the story of baby Jesus from Sunday school.

In the story, a brilliant star led three wise men to His birthplace.

Now the star was joined by a string of lights. They danced back and forth across the sky, and he followed them as they moved away.

Adam wanted to be home in bed right now, especially if he expected any presents under the tree. “Grandpa please hurry up and find me,” Adam wished.

His tummy ached from hunger. If only he had a plate of French Fries, with lots of ketchup.

A coyote watched the boy cross a small ridge.

Up above, an owl hooted, announcing his nightly hunt. But this was not any ordinary night.

It was Christmas Eve, a time of peace.

A mouse scampered from under the shelter of a tree. His pencil-black eyes looked left, right then up.

Adam also looked up. If it was Santa he hoped he had a huge bag of gifts. He wanted a big truck this year, for a big boy. And it should have a snowplow.

His legs were getting quite tired. And he stumbled over tree stumps, hidden under the snow.

Then he stopped, and waited, as if something good was about to happen. And it did. He turned towards the sound of crunching snow.

It looked like a snowman had stepped from a stand of Spruce trees. And it headed slowly towards him.

One word filled the empty space in a little boy’s heart. “GRANDPA!”

"Adam!” was the answering shout in the forest. Now snow went flying in all directions.

Man and boy were like two charging bears. They quickly wrapped arms around each other. Adam’s chilled face began to glow with warmth.

The boy’s smile was wide as the sky.

"Hey buddy! It's Christmas!" grandpa said, looking at his watch.

“And you’re the best present ever,” Adam said. He gave his grandpa another big hug and pointed up.

"MERRY CHRISTMAS!" was spelled out in large letters across the sky. A special message created by the stars, for a grandpa and grandson.

“Let’s go home now,” said Adam.

"I’m going to make the best snack ever,” grandpa promised. “Hot dogs, pancakes, chocolate milk…"

"AND FRENCH FRIES!!" Adam shouted.

© Richard & Esther Provencher