Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1989-12-22, Page 35THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1989. PAGE 35. Less fortunate topic of stories An Orphan's Christmas by Lindsay Anderson, Grade 7 Hallett Central On Christmas Eve, in the alleys of Cloville, an orphan named Joland was sitting wearily under a pile of newspapers. She had been sitting there a while when along came a bag lady who plopped down beside her. “Hi dearie,” she said. “How long have you been on the streets?” “About two months, but I was in and out of foster homes before,” Joland replied. “I’ve been on the streets since I was 13 years old. By the way, my name is Gertrude,” she said. “My name is Joland. Do you find it hard being alone at Christmas?” Joland asked. “Well, I’m not really alone at Christmas. You see, a bunch of gals and I get together and exchange gifts. The gifts are things we find in the trash that we think somebody would like. I’m on my way to meet them right now. Would you like to join me?” Gertrude asked hopefully. Joland replied, “I would really like to but I don’t have a gift to exchange and I don’t think your friends would appreciate you bring­ ing a stranger to your Christmas party.” “Are you kidding? They look forward to adding somebody new to our Christmas festivities. Besides if they don’t like you, which I highly doubt, I’ll just tell them that you are my friend and that I don’t care what they think. And I’m sure we can find something for you to take as a gift,” Gertrude exclaimed. “If it’s all right with you then, I’ll go. So where is it that you meet with your friends?” asked Joland. “There is an old abandoned warehouse on the corner of Queen and Mulberry. That’s where we meet. You see”, she said, “that’s where I first met the gals. We’ve been like family ever since,” she started to cry. “It’s okay,” Joland protested. “I’ll be part of your family too. Come on we better get going if we are going to make it in time.” Joland jumped up like an eager beaver and helped Gertrude to her feet. “Follow me, I know a short cut that will get us there minutes,” Gertrude stated. When Gertrude and reached the old abandoned house to their amazement nobody else was there. “Where is everybody?” Joland in 10 Peace fy. Joy Joland ware- From your friends at GEORGE SMYTH WELDING AUBURN 529-7212 EDWARD FUELS Serving Farm & Home. Business & Industry for over 40 years! ANGELSEA ST. GODERICH 524-8386 HWY. 4 NORTH CLINTON 482-7381 HWY 4 TEESWATER 392-6100 questioned. “I guess they decided not to show up. Oh well, here is my gift. I guess I’ll exchange with you since there is nobody else to exchange with,” Gertrude stated. “Here,” Joland replied. “I pick­ ed it up on the way. I hope you like it. They exchanged gifts and Gert­ rude was the first to speak. “It’s a beautiful pen. I can add this to my collection,” Gertrude exclaimed. “I really like the sweater you gave me. Now I will be able to stay warm,” said Joland. “Ever since we met, you have treated me like your child and I really appreciate it. I hope we will be able to stay together for a very long time.” “We can and for as long as we want,” Gertrude answered. To some people a pen and an old worn out sweater don’t mean alot, but there are some people less fortunate than us and to them they would be valuable because of the thought behind it. A season that belongs to everyone by Heather Thompson Grade 8, Grey. In a big, brick house on the 25th of December a group of people sit down at a long table. Cedar boughs and poinsettias add a festive touch. On the table are set innumerable plates and platters, heaped with turkey, dressing and other tradi­ tional holiday foods. Seated around the table are parents, grandparents, aunts, un­ cles, cousins and friends. Heat pours from the big fireplace while laughter pours from every smile. Down the street huddled in a back alley is another group of people, standing around a flimsy cardboard box. Their only decora­ tion is a piece of old wrapping paper that covers the box like a tablecloth. The smell of roasting turkey that drifts from every house in the city does not help to sustain their hungry bodies. On the makeshift table sits a soggy box of Kentucky Fried Chicken that anyone else would call garbage. To the group of cold hungry bodies it is a feast. Gather­ ed around the carboard box are many people, young and old, together merely for need of another human being with whom to share this Christmas Eve. The smiles found on other faces throughout the city are missing here, for how could anyone smile knowing that when they awake tomorrow they will know only the cold and hunger, and none of the gifts and trimmings of Christmas that everyone else will enjoy? Most of us can’t even imagine Christmas without family and friends. Without a heavily ladened table and gifts beneath a big evergreen tree. That is why it is so hard to relate to a person with so little, not even a home, or a dry place to sleep. If only each and everyone of us could spend just one day in the shoes of a homeless person seeking a life on the streets. If we could feel the hunger, cold, and loneliness that they must endure maybe then we could begin to understand the true meaning of Christmas-giving to those who are less fortunate than ourselves. Christmas shouldn’t be­ long only to those who can afford it but to everyone young or old, good or bad, rich or poor. Christmas of 1906 I remember when I was a little girl. 1 loved Christmas, but the one I remember best was the Christmas of 1906. I remember putting up the tree. I loved decorating the tree with garland. The part I like best about the tree was watching the candles glowing on all the home­ made ornaments. I remember that Christmas Eve. I begged father and mother to let me stay up late so I Continued on page 36 As the holiday unfolds in all its mystery beauty, may you experience the warmth of the season. Merry Christmas and many thanks.