A Simple Christmas Wish Read Online Free Page A

but because she came so seldom, the faces seemed less familiar. And yet, as she slid into the pew, she felt strangely at home.
    As the organist played an old hymn, Rachel remembered when she was a girl how her mother would sometimes slip her arm around her, snuggling her up close. Whether it was her imagination or not, Rachel felt a surprising sense of warmth just now—almost as if her mother were trying to comfort her, as if she understood. As if, in a way, she were here.
    Rachel had slipped a small bundle of tissues into her purse, and as the old pastor, Reverend Hanson, began his sermon, talking about finding precious treasures in unexpected places, she allowed her tears to start flowing freely again. She didn’t even care if others in the congregation could hear or see her. Really, if you couldn’t cry in church, where could you cry?
    After the service ended, a couple of older women came over to speak to her. They seemed vaguely familiar, but she didn’t recall exactly who they were. They reintroduced themselves asViola and Mabel. They claimed they remembered her mother and how sad it was when she passed. Hearing this, Rachel decided to open up, telling them of this most recent tragedy.
    “Oh, you poor baby.” Viola wrapped her big brown arms around her in a warm bear hug. “You poor, poor dear.”
    “And my niece is downstairs right now,” Rachel sobbed. “I haven’t even told her yet.”
    Now both of the women hugged her, holding her between them like two mother hens. Then they ushered her directly to Reverend Hanson, who was standing in the back. Viola quickly explained Rachel’s situation to him, and he too hugged Rachel, expressing sympathy, then prayed for her and for Holly.
    “Thank you.” She wiped her eyes with the last of her wad of tissues. “Thank you all.” She gave them a shaky smile. “I really appreciate your support. I needed that.”
    “And you’ll call me to schedule the memorial service tomorrow morning?” Reverend Hanson reminded her. “I’m not positive, but I believe the church is available on Thursday morning. If you think that’s okay, I can pencil it in.”
    “That’s probably fine, but I will call you.”
    “We’ll arrange with the women to have meals delivered to you and Holly for the next two weeks.”
    “Oh, that’s not necessary.”
    “You must allow us do this,” Mabel insisted. “It’ll be one less thing for you to concern yourself with.”
    “And we’ll organize a lunch to follow the memorial service on Thursday,” Viola said.
    “But I—”
    “Don’t argue with your elders.” Mabel shook a friendlyfinger at her. “You don’t have your mother around to help you out, so why not let us?”
    Rachel nodded, thanking them again. “I better go get Holly before she starts getting worried.”
    “We’ll be praying for you, dear,” Viola assured her as they accompanied her to the stairs. “For both you and little Holly.”
    “Yes.” Mabel nodded so eagerly her chins shook. “We will pray that God gives you just the right words for the child.”
    “Are there any right words?” Rachel asked them.
    Viola held up her hands. “I don’t know about that, but I do believe love speaks louder than words. And it’s plain to see you’ve got plenty of that.”
    Fortunately, Holly wasn’t the last child in the classroom. She seemed intent on finishing up the nativity scene she was coloring, so Rachel didn’t even bother to rush her. Instead she wandered around the room, remembering how she had attended Sunday school in this same room three decades ago. Like the rest of the church, not much had changed here either. Even though it seemed a little faded and dowdy, it was comforting. Rachel had almost forgotten those days. But, as Holly’s godmother and now her guardian, she would see to it that Holly grew up getting all the spiritual training necessary to ensure a happy and healthy life.
    Holly chatted cheerfully and obliviously as they rode the train back