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8a -- PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, Dec. 18, 1984 a ae eT ee by Grace Milne The Sunday School Christmas concert was over. The children had done it again -- surpris- ed'the audience with the quality of the perform- 'ance, surprising most of all the people who had been training them. Following the jingle of sleigh bells, Santa had come bounding into the room, his hearty Ho-Ho- Hoing sending the more timid children scrambl- ing to the safety of their parents' arms. From this haven they had watched with a mixture of joy and anxiety while Santa distributed the gifts from the brightly- trimmed Christmas tree. Now Santa had gone -- back to his reindeer, he said - and the attention of the children was once again upon the gifts he had handed to them. For the parents it was time to round up the family and go home. I shifted my sleeping six- month-old baby, so she was better supported by my shoulder, and made my way to the back of the room. There Daddy was trying to keep the attention of our excited six-year-old son long enough to get his arms into his overcoat. When the coat was on and buttoned, my husband took the sleeping baby, and I set out to find our middle child, a daughter whose age was four and a half. It was when I found her that I received the Christmas gift I treasure most. The picture I saw that night iS more precious to me than the most expensive painting, and I shall cherish the memory of it all of my life. I saw my dear little daughter sitting alone at the edge of the stage, the bright Christmas tree behind her. Beside her was a cardboard box that once had held a pair of children's runn- ing shoes. In her arms she cradled a small doll, a baby doll with diapers. It was dressed in a white flannelette nightgown, a smaller version of the on€s her baby sister wore. The child was humming softly to the doll and holding a tiny Red No PEE at 2 by Cindy Bisschop R.R.3 Port Perry Such a sad time, Christmas Eve was. At least it was going to be this year. The aching in my heart refused to leave. It didn't help to cry. Mom said it was just one of those things that we had to try and understand. She said I was a big girl now. The loneliness still didn't go away. Daddy wasn't coming home for Christmas. He would be busy cleaning My Most Memorable Christmas the roads so they would be safe for people to come home. Then their kids could have their parents with them for Christmas morning. It hardly seemed fair. That night I cried myself to sleep but towards morning a noise outside woke me. I lay in my bed tensely waiting 'to hear the sound again. Quietly I tiptoed to the bedroom window and peeked over the sill. The snow had stopped falling some- oeoooQeovcoopooepe od Star Essay Contest First Place Class B time during the ni and the stars' bri ness reflected off/of the white snowflakes. Nothing broke the still- ness. It came again. Down- stairs this time. I stood as still as I could being careful not to shift my weight from foot to foot for fear the floor would creak. All I could hear was the rapid pounding of my heart. Frighten- ing thoughts of robbers stealing what was left of our miserable : Cor - Have a CE NE] HAPPY HOLIDAY : Take a dose S whonover naeso ig ; B RUTON'S DRUG ST ORE ® J J ® ® MAY THE 12) ORRIN [CN OF THE 1200) M80): V's SEASON BE YOURS KELLY, JERMYN, ZULY & FOWLER Christmas ran through my head. Anger slowly took over from fear. The stairs seemed to stretch downwards end- lessly into the blackness at the bottom. Shadows cast by the light of the moon played tricks on my imagination. The red and green lights of our Christmas tree gave the rooms an eerie glow. I made my way slowly through each room until the living room was the only one left. My bare- feet moved silently across the carpet. I gulped a few times to get rid of the tightness in my stomach. As I looked cautiously around the corner of the doorway my heart stopped. My frozen feet wou an't move. Not a sound escaped my open- ed mouth. The bent over silhouette of a man straightened to an alarming height. Then, he turned around. I ran crying with happiness into my father's arms. bottle to its mouth. My daughter had forgotten her surroundings con- pletely; she was away in a blissful world of her own. On her face was an expression of absolute rapture. The effect was very moving; it was like suddenly stumbling . season that's ...Fora richinlove and contentment. KEN LUKE GRADING & EXCAVATING Ken, Sharon, Christy & Lynsey a el Our message is simple but sincere 'Have a glorious Christmas, friends!" JIM HEAYN AUTO SALES | A Priceless Christmas Gift . upon a work of art. What was the actual cost of producing this remarkable picture, this happening that ER Pa Yo Yu Yo resulted in great pleasure for two gener- ations? A little time at the sewing machine, and ninety-eight cents. ow DEA ---------------------------------------- 'On behalf of PORT PERRY TRAVEL Karen & Brent Taylor wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a safe holiday season! CHRISTMAS STORE HOURS: Dec. 24.......... 9:00 A.M. to Noon Dec. 25&26.............. CLOSED Dec. 27, 28 & 29 . . Open for Business Dec. 31...... 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M Jan. Ol................... 0 . (@) & O: Port Perry TraveL \& A Now serving Port Perry as an appointed VIA RAIL Ticketing Agency. PHONE 985-2268 64 Water Street, Port Perry, Ontario ER AR A SC AR MS HS PA HA PA MO ES ER YA YA Qo oo' The holiday brings no greater Pleasure than a chance to express our ° sincere thanks for your trust and patronage. ca May all Your Christmas dreams come true, 0° and our rienaship bo dis lasiing as the or" ol J. rations' of Chirstmas. : DON FREW & SONS LTD. -NESTLETON, ONTARIO -