Mary
The weeks seemed to slip by, one melting into the next. After Jacy told Piper her family had visited a Christmas tree farm and cut down their own evergreen, Piper wanted to do that. There was no way I was up for traipsing all over the hillside looking for the perfect tree, so I called Nick and asked him to take her.
Rachel slept a lot during the day but wanted to help decorate the tree. I’d invited Claire and Nick to dinner and I figured we’d decorate it afterward.
I made lasagna. It was something I could make ahead of time and stick in the oven. Claire insisted on bringing the salad and Nick wanted to bring bread. Piper and I baked some Christmas cookies. After dinner, I served the cookies and tea in the living room, where the tree stood in the corner.
Piper pulled on Nick’s sweater. “Will you please hold me up so I can put the angel on the tree?”
Nick picked up Piper and lifted her high so she could place the angel she’d made in school out of red and white construction paper.
“That’s the most beautiful angel topper I’ve ever seen,” I said. I’d hidden the Lennox tree topper that normally adorned my tree. The beautiful angel dressed in a luxurious champagne gown trimmed in fur with poinsettia accents, sequins and ribbons was no match for Piper’s construction paper angel.
I handed Rachel a small wrapped box.
“What’s this?” she asked.
Piper held up a box. “I got one, too!”
I watched as Piper and Rachel opened the box and took out beautiful crystal ornaments.
Daughter, I made a wish and you came true
“They’re beautiful, Mary,” Rachel said.
Piper ran to put hers on the tree. Rachel stood and walked over and hugged me.
“They’re different shapes so you’ll be able to tell them apart,” I explained.
Rachel pointed to the piano. “Why don’t you play for us, Mary?”
“I’m not that good.”
“I know better. I hear you play when you’re teaching Piper.”
“I’d love to hear you play, Mary,” Claire said. “Why don’t you play a Christmas carol and we’ll sing?”
Nick held up his hands. “You definitely don’t want to hear me sing. I sound like a sick reindeer.”
“Okay, okay.” I walked over to the piano and sat down. I started to play “Away in a Manger.” Everyone sang and Nick hummed. And it was perfect.