Winning essay chosen in One Book, One Community
The Tuscarawas County Literacy Coalition hosted a writing contest for area youth that corresponded with its annual One Book, One Community initiative. The essay that follows was chosen as the winning submission. It was written by Tuscarawas Valley Middle School eighth-grader Hannah Spicer. Her teacher is Emily Hawkins.
Driving home from his appointment, Wesley tried to figure out how he got to this point. He was 38, and he was fighting a losing battle. But cancer’s kind of like that. It tends to sneak up on you.
He looked over at his wife Eleanor. To anyone who didn’t know her, she looked emotionless, but Wesley knew better. She was struggling to stay positive. He thought of his three daughters, Charlie, Mia and Paisley, and how he could be leaving them behind. He couldn’t even give them the presents they’d asked for because he hadn’t been able to work. Possibly his last Christmas, and he was so weak he couldn’t even put up a tree.
They pulled into their driveway, and Eleanor opened the door to get out. She rounded the car to help Wesley, but he waved her off, determined to do it himself.
“Honestly Wesley, you’re never going to get better if you don’t let me help,” Eleanor protested. “Your social worker at the Department of Veterans Affairs said ... ”
“Ellie, I’m fine.” She shook her head but stood back as he got out of the car. They walked arm in arm to the front door. Wesley looked at the snow falling around him, savoring the beauty of the small, white flakes accumulating on the evergreen trees.
He remembered having planted those years ago when he and Ellie first bought the property. He turned away with a sigh and climbed the steps to the front door. Ellie turned the knob and threw open the door with a smile. Wesley couldn’t believe what he saw. His house was lit up like the Fourth of July.
Lights were hung wherever possible, the banister was wrapped in garland and the stockings were hung on the fireplace. The shiny glint of Ellie’s silver reindeer figures, placed among holly leaves, caught Wesley’s eye.
Somewhere an evergreen-scented candle was burning. In the middle of it all was a brilliantly decorated Christmas tree. He broke away from Ellie and gazed upon the ornaments they had used to decorate Christmas trees in previous years together. He even saw the tiny porcelain manger scene that he’d bought for Ellie on their first Christmas together. He fought back the tears that threatened to overtake him.
Wesley turned to the small crowd of people as if he was noticing them for the first time. He recognized most of them from the VA, but there were a few who were unfamiliar. He noticed his social worker Brittany standing in the crowd. She wasn’t in her usual formal attire; instead, she had donned a hoodie and some jeans. Wesley made his way over to her.
“Did you do this?” he asked. She shook her head.
“I only helped. Some people in the neighborhood heard about your situation and wanted to do something to help. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen the community come together like this. I heard some people talking about a benefit dinner to help with your bills.”
Wesley couldn’t believe it. He thanked Brittany and set off into the crowd searching for Ellie. He found her in the kitchen, pouring cups of spiced apple cider. She looked up from the tray and grinned at her husband.
“Did you know about this?” he inquired.
“Well, they called on the phone yesterday, and I might’ve left the door unlocked before we left today,” she said. Wesley hugged her and smiled. “Turns out there are some good people left in the world,” Ellie mused. Wesley smiled again, and the two of them stood in each other’s arms.
“You should thank them,” Ellie whispered. Wesley looked down at her. “Go on,” she insisted. She picked up a glass of cider and tapped it with her serving ladle. Everyone turned to look at Wesley, and someone turned off the music that had apparently been playing for awhile. How had he not noticed that?
“I just want to thank everyone for doing this. It means so much to my family and me. It’s so wonderful to know there are people who do things like this. I’m speechless for perhaps the first time in my life. It’s very inspiring to me that people would come together to help a young veteran like me. Thank you.”
Those who already had cups held them up and gave a couple of shouts and cheers. Then the music resumed. Groups of people around them began to dance. Wesley turned to his wife and took her hand. She giggled, and they danced to “Rockin’ around the Christmas Tree.”
“Daddy! Daddy!”
“Hey Charlie! What do you think of the impromptu Christmas party?” Wesley asked, his little girl running toward him in a little red Christmas dress. Wesley picked her up and swung her onto his hip.
“It’s a Christmas miracle, Daddy!” she cried excitedly. “One of the ladies said that Santa was going to give us extra presents this year! This is the best Christmas ever!”
“That it is,” agreed Wesley. “It really, truly is.” He looked at Ellie, who smiled at her husband and little girl with tears in her eyes. Wesley set Charlie down, and they danced with her feet on his.
“Come on, Mommy,” Charlie said. She grabbed one of her mother’s hands and one of her father’s. The trio was soon joined by Paisley and Mia. The little family danced in a circle, holding each other’s hands.
They laughed and danced for what felt like forever. Needing a break, Wesley grabbed his coat and headed out the door. He stood in the snow, gazing up at the stars. Ellie and the girls followed him outside.
“What are you looking at, Daddy?” asked Mia as she reached up to him. He was quiet for a moment as he picked her up.
“The Christmas Star,” Wesley replied. “That star’s the reason we’re all here, celebrating. I believe that star gives people the hope, joy and generosity that makes this the best time of year.”