The Christmas Angel. Winter was here. December twenty first, just a few days before Christmas. We had already had over a foot of snow so far this season, and today was going to be no exception. Maddy looked out the window. Her heart was heavy. It was bad enough she would be spending another lonely Christmas by herself , but not being able to get out because of the snow, made her feel even worse. Just getting in the car and driving to the store would be a welcomed relief from her ever growing loneliness. The kettle began whistling. Maddy turned from the window and headed back into the kitchen. She put some bread in the toaster and poured herself a nice hot cup of tea. Maddy sat at the table eating her toast when suddenly she heard a ruckus at her front door. Up in a flash, excited at the thought of some companionship, she dashed to the front door. Maybe dashed isn't the best word to use. Maddy was seventy six years old. Before she got to the door the bell rang. I'm coming, I'm coming she said loudly. Maddy opened the door. Two young boys with shovels looked up at the old woman. Can we shovel your driveway and sidewalk mam, they asked? How much will it cost she asked? Would five dollars be ok asked one of the boys? Oh yes Maddy said excited, she would be able to get out after all. I'll even make you fellas some nice hot coco when your finished. That would be great said the other boy, as they turned at the same time and began shoveling the deep snow off the porch stairs. Maddy scrambled her way into the kitchen. She put milk in a pot and set it on the stove, and then placed two big mugs on the table near her tea. Maddy also opened the cookie jar and onto the table it went. It took the boys almost an hour to clear the snow. Maddy watched from the window. They even cleaned off her car. When the job was done the two came back to the door. We're finished mam, they said. Yes I see that said Maddy, Please come in and have some hot coco and cookies while I find my pocket book. The kids shook off the snow from their clothes and stepped inside. Just put your coats on the hooks near the radiator she said, and follow me into the kitchen. The three sat and talked for about fifteen minutes. It felt like seconds to old Maddy. Soon the boys were walking down the driveway, and then disappeared from sight. Maddy's eye's were damp. She had enjoyed herself more in that brief interlude, than she had in a very long time. Being old is tricky business for someone with no family. None of her neighbors really bothered with her. Maybe in part because of all the walls she had put up in her life. Being hurt was not what anyone wants, and Maddy was no exception. Her life had sure had it's share of heartache, and peace was all she wanted. But the loneliness was just too much for her. Maddy laid in bed that night crying. She prayed to God to help her. Maddy woke up feeling a bit better, but the longing for a friend was even stronger. She made her tea and toast, and turned on the television. Of course it was the weather channel, and they were calling for another snow storm beginning tomorrow afternoon. Maddy's heart fell even further. Then she smiled for a second and though, maybe the boys will come back and shovel again. She cleaned her dishes and went out on the porch. It was bitter cold and bright white everywhere. Maddy decided she should go to the bank and the store. She would get some money and maybe some lunchmeat. If the boys come back I want to be ready she thought. So Maddy showered, got dressed, did her hair, and put on just a touch of makeup. She was ready. Keys and coat, and off she went. Maddy did enjoy being out and about. What she liked the best, was being around others. Meeting and talking to people she didn't know was easy. There was no time for relationships to form in those few minutes, which could later hurt her heart. Maddy took some money from the bank, and headed to the market. After searching out a few items she thought the boys might like, she took her place in line. The stores were filled with people stocking up on everything from water and food, to flashlights and batteries. The storm was coming. In line, Maddy overheard another woman talking to her daughter. It was a story about angels in a nursing home. Maddy only heard a tiny bit of the conversation, but something about it touched her inside. Maddy was curious about angels, she had a dream once that she was an angel, but when she woke up, well it was just her again. Still, that story stuck in her head. All the way home her mind was consumed of angels. After putting away the groceries, Maddy turned on the weather to see the latest news on the coming storm. It was a big one. The forecast was for eighteen inches and more in the higher elevations. Maddy felt sick. If the boys don't come back and shovel, I will be stuck inside for a long time. When the weather man was finished, he added that people should really take care of their pets, and check in on those who are old and alone. The next segment was on loneliness and nursing homes in winter. Maddy watched and listened intently. It was as if the guy was talking to her. "So get out there and visit if you can, it means more than you know to those old folks". That last sentence echoed in her heart and soul. Was he talking about them or me she thought. Maddy laid down in bed and tried to sleep but her mind was running all over the place. She heard in the store of angels in the nursing home, now the weatherman talking of loneliness and old folks. Her dream once of being an angel. What did it all mean. Finally her mind settled down and she fell asleep. Maddy woke up in the morning and as usual had her tea and toast. Again she turned on the television to check the weather. Storm to hit today,12/23, eta four pm. up to two feet expected. Maddy watched as the letters and numbers scrolled across the bottom of the screen. The picture on the screen was a nursing home, with children dressed as angels bringing homemade cookies and cards to the seniors confined in the home. Maddy looked in disbelief. That is what I dreamt last night she said out loud. Maddy looked up, put her hands together and asked, what is it you want? Maddy's heart and soul were on fire. She had to go. Maddy got dressed and bundled up good and went to her car. The closest nursing home was a forty minute drive. She had time to get there, spend some time, and still beat the storm home again. On the drive Maddy began to be afraid. Why am I going here. What will I say or do. How can I help. I don't even know anyone there. Still she drove on. When she reached the home, Maddy parked the car and just sat wondering what she was doing there. Ok she said out loud as if answering someone, I'll go in and visit them. When Maddy got to the door it automatically slid open. She stepped in and as the door closed, the next one opened. Her eye's gazed around the room. There were folks all over the place. Some older then her, some younger, and a lot around her own age. Some had company, but most were alone. Suddenly, a woman touched her shoulder. Can I help you, she asked Maddy? Maddy stood silent. She thought of her home, big and empty, and lonely. Her eye's continued to wander over the faces of the residents in the room. Yes she answered, I have come to visit. Which resident are you looking for the woman asked? Maddy turned her again dampened eyes toward the woman and replied, all of them. Oh how wonderful said the woman. She showed Maddy the coatroom, the bathroom, and gave her a quick tour of the facility. After the short tour, Maddy went and sat down next to one of the residents. Hi my name is Maddy, what's your. Linda answered the woman. They talked for a while and Maddy hugged her and then sat with another. And after another hug, she sat and talked with another. Before she realized it, it was six pm. She looked out the door and the storm was in full swing. Four inches already on the road and more than two inches per hour falling. Maddy went to the main desk. I'm sorry she said, I was visiting and now I am stuck because of the storm. The woman smiled and told Maddy that they had a place for her to sleep and plenty of food to go around. She smiled at Maddy. Maddy thought for a second and said that is wonderful thankyou, and then she turned and continued her visit. Maddy dined with the residents in the dining room. This new girl is something one of them said. She's not new said another, she came to visit us. She's my sister said another. Together they talked and ate. Stories of families and reminiscing of days gone by were the theme of the evening. At bed time, Maddy had her own room. It had been empty for two days. Glady's, the former resident had gone home. Maddy laid in the bed. She had never felt such contentment before in her life. She closed her eyes and slept like a baby with a full belly. 12/24. Maddy woke up and headed toward the dining room. Residents were all working their way to breakfast. Maddy helped serve and then sat down and enjoyed the company she so desperately searched for, for such a long time. As the day progressed, so did the depth of the snow. Maddy talked, listened, played cards and games with any one who wanted. The residents were floating on air. Maddy spent time with each and every one of them at some point over her stay. After dinner, the dayroom was full. None of the residents would go to bed. The great fireplace was lit, and a calm was over the entire home. Maddy saw the piano in the corner. She hadn't played in over twenty years since her husband had died. Slowly she stood up and went over to it. She lifted the box like cover up to reveal the ebony and ivory keys. Her fingers slid softly across them. Maddy sat down and began to play. She fumbled a note or two and then stopped. Suddenly an old man stood up and began to sing the song silent night. Maddy's fingers once again touched the keys. Like a savant her fingers massaged the keys in rhythm to the old mans voice. Then a woman joined in, an another. By the chorus, the whole room was singing and swaying back and forth. The sound of Christmas music filled the home. It could be heard in the nearby neighborhoods. Maddy and the residents spent the rest of Christmas eve enjoying each others companionship and love. There was no loneliness that night. Christmas morning, Maddy got up early and saw the roads were clear. She left before anyone else was awake. She could not bear to have to say goodbye. She drove careful as the roads were clear, but still had ice patches on them. By sunup, she was home. To her amazement, her driveway and sidewalk and stairs were already cleared. She went inside and wrote a note and put money in it and put it on the front door in case the boys came back again. It read; thankyou boys so much, you are truly my angels, and fifty dollars each. The day was quiet and peaceful. Maddy had never felt so alive or comfortable before in all her life. It was the best Christmas she could ever remember. As night fell, Maddy began feeling tired and sat down in her recliner and turned on the tv. She laid her head back and closed her eyes. The weather man told of the weather, and talked of the magic of the coming new year. In the next segment was a story of how an angel brought the joy and love of Christmas to a nursing home that year!