Charlie was very
poor and had
become
accustomed early
on to help
support his home.
A kind man, who
owned an auto
repair shop,
allowed him to
be there as an
apprentice,
performing small
tasks such as
cleaning parts,
sweeping the
floor, running
errands and
sometimes even
billing.
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His mother, a
poor washerwoman,
strove to meet
the family's
needs, which
consisted of
eight year-old
Charlie and two
younger brothers
while their
father, always
unemployed,
practically
lived in the
bars.
One day Charlie
came back home
very tired after
an exhausting
day, and found
his drunk father
fighting with
his mother
because dinner
was not ready.
The good lady
patiently
explained to her
husband that she
had washed
clothes all day
and had just
arrived home
from work, but
she would
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fix
them something
to eat. |
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Christmas was
fast approaching
and the whole
town was in a
festive mood.
The shops were
full of toys,
trees were
decorated and
the streets lit
brightly, while
Christmas carols
reminded people
that Christmas
was coming.
Upon entering
the house and
noticing the
heavy atmosphere,
with his mother
crying in a
corner and his
frightened
brothers,
Charlie felt a
great sadness.
He went to his
room, unable to
hold back tears.
Seeing his son
getting home
that late, all
dirty with
grease, tired
from working so
hard, the father
had a moment of
clarity. He felt
ashamed of
himself and went
after Charlie.
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He stopped by
the bedroom door.
The boy was
kneeling beside
his bed praying.
Not wanting to
interrupt, the
father kept
listening to
what the child
said.
- Beloved Jesus.
Christmas is
near and I see
everybody happy,
but I feel very
unhappy because
I would like to
give something
to the boys but
I have no money.
Mom works hard
and I do too,
but we can’t
earn enough for
our expenses. My
father gets
angry and fights
with us. Help us
Jesus so that we
can have a
better Christmas
and give Dad
what he needs.
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Full of shame,
the head of the
family turned
away, moved.
He said nothing
to anyone. The
next day,
Antonio got up
early and went
out, to the
surprise of
everyone who
were used to
seeing him
sleeping till
late.
He was serious
and did not yell
at the kids.
That day he did
not come home
drunk nor did he
in the following
days.
On Christmas Eve
he got home
late. Tired of
waiting for him,
the family went
to sleep,
certain that he
would come home
drunk.
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The next day,
oh, surprise!
... Upon waking
up, the boys saw
a small
Christmas tree
in the living
room and under
it, several
packages.
They shouted for
joy, waking up
the whole family
as they opened
the presents. In
amazement,
Charlie and his
mother did not
know how to
explain that
miracle.
Antonio, who
observed the
children's
reaction from a
distance, fondly
looked at
everybody and
walked up to his
eldest son:
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- Charlie!
Thanks to you,
my son, today I
am a different
man. Forgive me
for being a bad
father and a
burden to you. I
have good news
for everyone.
I'm not drinking
anymore and I
even got a job.
Your prayers
have been
answered, son.
And after these
words, he opened
his arms
satisfied and
full of dignity,
exclaiming:
- Merry
Christmas to all!
Smiling and in
disbelief of
such happiness,
his wife and
children nested
in the arms of
the man who had
regained his
true position in
his home, while
Charlie sighed
happy, saying:
- Now, at last,
we really are a
family! Thanks
to Jesus!
AUNT CÉLIA
