MAN WITH THE GOLDEN WINGSbyVernon J. Davis Jr.It is Christmas Eveand the snow is fallingon a lonely little housein the countryside.Come..., let us go inside and listen.In this house, a little girl lies asleepin her bed.But sleep she doesn't stay, for she'sawaken by a bright light instead.The light comes through her bedroomwindow with warming colors.And when she looks out her window,she sees a man with wings on his back.Golden Wings at that."Mama! Mama! Come look,come see!"The little girl runs out her room as she cries."I just saw a man with Golden Wings outside.He's tall and handsome, with a great big smile.And his arms are full of nice shiny things.Mama, who do you think this man is withGolden Wings?"Slowly her mother looks up from her rocking chair.She is still young with fair eyes,but now has greyhair."Hush girl," She barely speaks in a soft whisper."Don't come runnin in here tellin me noboldface lies.Your mama ain't feeling well, and there ain'tno man with Golden Wings outside.I'se know you'se excited cause Christmasis coming.But, ain't no lying gonna make dawn comea runnin.""But, but mama, I ain't lyin! I did see this manoutside.He, he, had a halo on his head too, to go withhis big smile.His Wings moved slowly to keep the snowoff them,and he wanted to say something to me.But, I ran in here so I could get you to seethis man with Golden Wings.""Honey,...listen, your eyes can play tricks on you.And the snow can make you see things too.I remember when I was excited for Christmasat your age.I saw a giant lion with a great big white beard.Hmp, it was nothing but a dream, but, I surewas scared."The little girl hangs her head and quietly says"Mama, I'm sorry.""Baby, that's all right.""But, listen child, I know we haven'thad much in our way of living.And hardly anyone,nowadays, has beenin the Spirit for giving.But you know I'se tried to make things rightfor both of us, since your daddy died.So, for your daddy, we both have to survive.""Tell me more about daddy, what was he like?""Your daddy was a God-fearing man, who diedbefore you was born.And he died seven years ago on Christmas morn.He was on his way home with presents in his arms,when he was lost in the snow.And he never knew he would have a daughter,He never knew he would be a father.""Was he a nice man?""Of course he was.""But enough of this, go on back to bedand get some rest.And when you get up, I'll have you a goodhot breakfast."The little girl gives her mother a hug and whispers"Merry Christmas Mama" and slowly turnsaway."Merry Christmas to you too, sweetheart,"her mother replies while watching her daugther'ssilent strollas she suddenly feels the overwhelmingemptiness of her own lonely soul.Quietly she rises from her rocking chair,walking to her own room with much pain to bear.She climbs into bed, wiping away her tears,and glancing out her window, she feels a slightfear.And when sleep descends on her eyelids, sheasks GOD, "Does anyone really care?"*********************"Mama! Mama! Wake-up, Wake-up! he really washere!"The little girl's voice rings in her mother's ear."Come look, come look, come see for yourself,"she says while pulling and dragging her mother outof bedto see what Christmas day had bred.By the bedroom window laid many pretty giftsnestled comfortably in a glittering snow drift.Toys and clothes all neatly arrayedplaced carefully with Love and Harmonyby the Man with the Golden Wings.But the most surprising gift of allthat the mother only saw...was her husband's wedding ring.She slowly bends down and picks it upwhile her daughter asks"Mama, was He an Angel?""Yes Dear," her Mother replies."And much more. He was your Daddy,come home."It is Christmas Dayand the snow has stopped falling.And the lonely little housein the countryside,for today,isn't so lonely.Vernon J. Davis Jr. (c)copyright 1977, 2001 & 2006.From my upcoming book--"THE EMOSEWA WOMAN"Read more at www.vernonjdavisjr.com
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