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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

All I Want For Christmas Is a Short Story?

by Chautona Havig · 26 Comments

(Merry Christmas from all of us at Just the Write Escape)

A Mama for Christmas

Toys filled the shelves—cars, robots, games, plush animals, and dolls.  Two full aisles of dolls, to be precise.  Dolls that looked like little girls of eight, Barbies, mini dolls, baby dolls, dolls that wet, cried, and talked.  On one end of the baby section, a double row of baby dolls with pretty dresses and blankets sat stacked four deep—all the size and weight of a real baby.  Sleep-eyes meant that lying down, the baby would look asleep, and the eyes would open when sat upright.

One doll at the far right waited impatiently.  She’d been placed there on the shelf sometime around midnight and waited in eager anticipation to be chosen.  With Santa hats on the employees and “Sleigh Ride” playing over the store speakers, she knew it meant one thing—Christmastime.

Every doll’s dream. 

There could be nothing better—nothing lovelier than being wrapped in pretty paper and put under a tree for some little girl’s Christmas present.

The doll thought of herself as Cecelia; she hoped for a pretty name like that—nothing simple or boring like Mary or Anne, but even those would be nice as long as she had a real little girl to call…

Mama. 

Would it be a dark-haired girl with chocolate eyes?  A redhead with clear blue eyes as beautiful as a summer sky?  What about a girl with hazel eyes and golden curls?  Or maybe a mocha-skinned woman with dark curly hair would choose her, despite her pale skin, for a little girl who already had a few darker skinned dolls.  That could be exciting!

Of course, being at Christmas meant that she’d have to wait—maybe even two or more weeks—wrapped in paper under a tree.  Cecelia didn’t know how long it was until Christmas, but she’d been delivered after Thanksgiving, so it couldn’t be more than a month, right?  She’d be wrapped in snowman paper—or maybe paper with an old-fashioned Santa Claus on it.

Oooh… or polka dots.  Cecelia loved polka dots.

The day passed slowly.  Customers came, shuffled through the boxes, and sometimes pulled one of her companions off the shelf, but never her.  Employees shuffled the dolls around, adding new ones and moving the old ones.  Night fell.

No one bought her. 

She tried not to be discouraged—tried not to cry.  There would be tomorrow—or the next day.  She knew shelves were usually empty by Christmas Eve.  She hoped not to be a last-minute grab to have something under the tree.  No, Cecelia wanted to be chosen.

The next day, a woman appeared.  Troubled green eyes examined every single doll on the aisle until she returned to where Cecelia and her sisters sat. This time, she took her time, looking into the eyes of every doll, moving them up and down to see for sure that the eyes worked well. Cecelia almost quivered in her anticipation.

Please pick me.  Please!  I’ll make her so happy.  I’ll do everything I can.

The woman reached for her and set her in the front basket of the shopping cart—where real mamas put their real babies.  Cecelia couldn’t believe her good fortune.  The woman wiped away a tear.  Why?

For almost two days, Cecelia lived in a shopping bag in the living room closet.  She heard Christmas music, laughter, children screaming as they raced through the house.  But at last, her bag, along with several others, was brought out into the kitchen and set out on the counter.  She saw the latest robot, a scooter, several electronic games, but no other dolls.

It’s just me!  I’m so excited! 

The woman—a man called her Emily—wrapped three presents before Cecelia’s turn came. She saw the paper just as Emily laid her face down on the wrong side—candy cane stripes.  That’s the best of all.  It’s so thrilling!  I bet she puts a red shiny bow and ribbons on me.  She likes ribbons!

The next week and a half dragged by slower than the long truck ride to the store and felt almost as long as the extremely long boat ride from China.  To pass the time, Cecelia imagined what her life would be like—some little girl’s favorite dolly.  Would the girl sing to her?  Rock her?  Tell her stories and be the kind of mama every little dolly wants?

Of course, she will.

Despite the long wait, Christmas morning finally arrived.  Cecelia awoke to squeals of laughter and giddy children clamoring for stockings and presents.  She waited, impatience growing as she heard the tearing of paper, the squeals of excitement, the murmurs of thanks and appreciation.

At last, someone picked her up and handed her to someone else.  A hush came over the room, and even Cecelia could feel the anticipation.

I want to see!  Whose hands—oh, that ring.  I know that ring.  It’s Emily’s.  She’s helping me.  That’s why it’s quiet.  It’s a baby or a toddler.  Well, that’ll be lovely. 

We’ll “grow up” together.

The box turned over and Cecelia looked into the watery eyes of a wrinkled old woman.  The woman’s hands stroked the box as Emily said, “She’s for you, Mama.  This baby is just for you.  You can take her anywhere—always.”

Disappointment flooded Cecelia as she realized that she wouldn’t be playing with a little girl. Like that one, she thought at the sight of a golden-haired girl playing with several dolls nearby.

We could have had adventures.  She would take me outside to see the playhouse and maybe even put me in a basket on the front of her bicycle.  I’d sleep beside her at night—it would be so much fun!

But instead, the old woman’s trembling hands reached for her and wrapped her in the little blanket.  “Mama” held her close, rocking her and singing Brahms’s Lullaby in a wavering, high voice.

“‘Lullaby and goodnight, with roses bedight…’”

The morning passed with children playing with toys, adults comparing gadgets and books, and “Mama” rocking Cecelia in her arms.   Sometimes Mama sang.  Sometimes she whispered sweet words of love and affection, stroking Cecelia’s plastic hair with the practiced touch of a woman who knows how best to love a baby.

Emily asked what Mama had named the baby. 

A touch of disappointment hit as Mama said in her weak, gentle voice, “She’s Mary, of course.  What other name could I give a Christmas baby?”

Sometime later, Mama shifted her and Cecelia-now-Mary saw the pile of abandoned dolls, tumbling helter-skelter and tossed aside as the little golden-haired girl raced outside to play in the snow with the other children.  Mary peeked again at Mama through half-closed eyes and rested content in her new mama’s arms.

Merry Christmas, Mama.  Love, Mary.

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Comments

  1. Anonymous says

    November 25, 2017 at 7:20 am

    Don’t know how I managed to miss this until now, but it was worth the wait. Bless you for a fine story.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      November 27, 2017 at 7:28 pm

      Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      November 27, 2017 at 7:29 pm

      Hey, Lucinda. did you REALLY enjoy it? Because, um… what’s with the anonymity? Just askin’…

      Reply
  2. Patty Palmer says

    January 16, 2014 at 2:08 am

    We are well into January as I read this story. I have spent the past 30 years taking care of ‘the little old people’ as I call them. They area a treasure of stories about the way it was, how hard they worked, how much they loved their families Sadly, at that last chapter of their lives, they sometimes don’t recognize their children, grandchildren and those who were always the closest to them during their lives. But just because she doesn’t recognize her grown daughter doesn’t mean she doesn’t “know” who her daughter is, because that baby she is dressing, feeding, singing to, holding tight, and loving with all her heart is probably that same daughter. She is reliving maybe the best and dearest times from her life! That baby doll is truly loved, so in essence when the daughter feels badly that her mother doesn’t know her today, she should feel cherished and remembering how it felt to be in her mother’s arms. Not only does your mother know you, you with her all the time in the form of that baby doll and she loves you as much as she ever did. So the next time mama doesn’t recognize you as she clings to that ‘doll’ remember, in her mind, you are always near.

    Reply
  3. Lora L. says

    December 28, 2013 at 12:16 am

    Aw, how sweet. Thanks, Chautona.

    Reply
  4. Erva Reamsbottom says

    December 27, 2013 at 4:20 pm

    Chautona, you must have a heart of gold being able to write the things you do. I love the story and all your books that I have read so far. Thank you and. Love you. Happy 2014 to you.

    Reply
  5. Wilma Whittaker says

    December 26, 2013 at 7:46 pm

    I thought the story was so wonderful helping the elderly when they need it the most

    Reply
  6. Carolyn Renee' Wylie-McElroy says

    December 26, 2013 at 12:11 pm

    What a sweet story!!! Like someone said, we don’t know how well off we are until we look around us!!! Thank you for this story!!!!! Happy New Year, Chautona!!!!!

    Reply
  7. Joanna says

    December 26, 2013 at 8:52 am

    this is a sweet story…thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  8. cindyjenkins says

    December 26, 2013 at 8:31 am

    Very lovely story. Thanks so much for sharing it with us. Your writing is such a blessing and I love all of your books. Happy 2014!

    Reply
  9. Phyllis says

    December 26, 2013 at 8:09 am

    I have tears streaming down my face. What a touching story.

    Reply
  10. Sharon Somers says

    December 26, 2013 at 6:32 am

    Truly a wonderful story but with an unexpected ending. I volunteer at a nursing home so I know the ending is very true. It is lovely that many baby dolls end up bringing comfort to many elderly people.

    Reply
  11. Amanda says

    December 26, 2013 at 6:08 am

    LOVE IT!! I hope you had a very Merry Christmas!

    Reply
  12. Patricia Barrette says

    December 26, 2013 at 6:02 am

    Beautiful story! Merry Christmas Chautona !

    Reply
  13. sandi Mauro says

    December 26, 2013 at 5:54 am

    I have a friend in a nursing home (70’s). She has also adopted a baby that she believes is real. The nurses have been very kind and gave her a bed for the baby and constructed a basket on her walker so she can take her baby with her when she leaves her room. It is sweet to see her take care of this baby, when most of the time she does not remember her own babies, This adopted baby has given her a purpose. Thank you for this story. I intend to pass it on to other family members.

    Reply
  14. Sue, Lutz, FL says

    December 26, 2013 at 2:56 am

    I have a precious Mama in an Alzheimer’s unit. This is especially sweet for me.

    Reply
  15. Heather Stevens in Australia says

    December 26, 2013 at 2:10 am

    Thanks so much for such a touching story. It brings back memories of the lovely old ladies I used to work with. Thank you again and may you and your family have a safe and very special 2014.

    Reply
  16. Marzlie Freeman says

    December 26, 2013 at 1:34 am

    Thank you for such a wonderful story. As usual your stories depict real people.
    Merry Christmas and wishes for a great 2014.

    Reply
  17. Katie says

    December 24, 2013 at 9:56 pm

    Beautiful!!! When my grandmother (my Mom-Mom) was suffering with Alzheimer’s, she cherished her baby doll!!! Thanks for letting me remember such a fun memory of her this Christmas!!!

    Reply
  18. Sharon says

    December 24, 2013 at 6:35 pm

    Beautiful story.

    Probably so true for many.

    Reply
  19. sodbusters says

    December 24, 2013 at 12:37 pm

    Based off a certain night mother dear? Caroling in the nursing home? <3 So precious.

    Reply
  20. Cathe says

    December 24, 2013 at 11:48 am

    That’s beautiful. I have seen elderly women with babies in the nursing home. It’s so precious.

    Reply
  21. linda huff says

    December 24, 2013 at 10:20 am

    Tears on on Christmas Eve, joyful tears.

    Reply
  22. Susan (DE) says

    December 24, 2013 at 10:16 am

    What a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing. Made me sad, though. Happy-sad. 🙂

    Merry Christmas!

    Reply
  23. Nanette says

    December 24, 2013 at 9:44 am

    Thanks so much for the memories…Merry Christmas from frozen Michigan!

    Reply
  24. terresamountain says

    December 24, 2013 at 9:33 am

    Amazing! We never know how blessed we are…

    Reply

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 448: A Chat with Nancy Naigle
byChautona Havig

 I fell in love with Nancy’s writing with The Shell Collector. Imagine my joy when I discovered she has a SEQUEL! Eeep! Listen in and discover which characters you’ll find in To Light the Way Forward and what’s coming next for one of America’s favorite authors!

note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

It’s been three years since Nancy and I had a chance to talk, and in that time, she’s been BUSY.  So in addition to falling in love with her character, Tug, and wanting to give him his own story, she’s written a small-town duet (and maybe we talked her into a third?) as well as a romcom duo!  Think we can talk her into a third of that series as well?  Because… SPOILER ALERT… we’re getting a third Shell Collector Series book, too! EEEP!

To Light the Way Forward by Nancy Naigle

A novel of overcoming deep loss, taking risks, and learning that life—and love—often surprises you when you least expect it, from the USA Today bestselling author of The Shell Collector. “Bringing to life characters you can’t help but fall in love with, Nancy Naigle goes straight to the heart with this story of tragedy turned to triumph. A poignant reminder to never give up hope.”—Sheila Roberts, author of The Best Life Book Club Feeling adrift after the loss of her husband, Rosemary sets out to visit an old friend on Whelk’s Island, undeterred by the threat of a hurricane. Before the storm hits, she finds herself at Tug’s Diner where she quickly connects with the owner, Tug. But the storm destroys the diner, compounding Tug’s grief from losing his love the previous year. The longer Rosemary stays, the more she sees Tug’s deep sadness and resolves to help him. Together with Tug and friends Amanda and Paul, they all pitch in to help the close-knit community recover and rebuild. As Amanda and Paul reconnect after losing touch during the storm, their plans to take things slow seem increasingly impractical. While Rosemary and Tug help the young couple navigate their relationship, they also find themselves building a friendship that begins to restore them both. But can that friendship convince them that love is possible for anyone who’s willing to take a risk—even those who never hoped they’d find it again?

Learn more about Nancy on her WEBSITEand follow her on GoodReads and BookBub.

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