Writing #2

A Christmas Sign of Goodness

by Jody Courtney

This story was bought by ActivityConnection.com in October of '06.

Amanda Blings sighed heavily as she realized that it wouldn't be long before she would be back in her childhood hometown. Soon, she would be back on West L Street. She had to smile at the thought. Couldn't the city planners of Skylight been more creative in naming streets? Her friends and co-workers always razzed Amanda about growing up on West L Street and going to high school on Second Street. "That is definitely the mark of a simple little town," they would say.

She didn't mind though. Amanda had always loved Skylight. It would always be "home" to her. So what if the founders of Skylight didn't use their creative juices when designing the town? They were just practical people, she reasoned. After all, having alphabetized and numbered streets made finding places a snap.

Amanda's smile broaden as she drove into her neighborhood and witnessed the scenes around her. Lights of red, green, yellow, blue, and even orange and pink were hanging around most of the houses and many of the trees. Children were bundled up, building snowmen and making snow angels. There was even a group of children having a friendly snowball fight. Amanda could hear the shouting and laughter of the children through her rolled up windows.

There was no question about it, Christmas, for better or for worse, was here. Amanda sighed again. If there was ever a time she needed to be in Skylight with her family, it was now. She was emotionally and physically drained. Amanda couldn't wait to get to her parents house. She knew what laid ahead. Her mom and dad would greet her with several hugs. Dad would insist on hauling in all of her luggage, making some kind of joke about how women pack too much. Mom would have a hot cup of cocoa waiting. She then would lead Amanda to the freshly prepared guest room. She would say, "Now, Honey, you get some rest before dinner. We will catch up over your favorite dish- my famous homemade chicken potpie." Amanda smiled at the thought of her homecoming. It would be good to be home.

A little over an hour later, Amanda was resting comfortably in her parents' guest room. (Actually, it used to be her bedroom, and the familiar smells of the room brought back fond memories.) She rolled over onto her back and stretched. She looked around the room, admiring it. It was, of course, decorated in a Christmas theme. There were tiny snowmen and angels placed throughout. A small Christmas tree with flickering yellow lights stood across the room on the oak desk. There was a silver star shiny proudly on top, an exact miniature replica of the star that was on the real Christmas tree in the family room.

The young woman in her early twenties thought again about how good it was to be there. And of course, her parents greeted Amanda just as predicted. Amanda mused over their predictability. Just then a "meow, meow" came from under the bed. A rather small but heavy gray feline jolted from under the bed and jumped onto it, landing on Amanda's stomach. The cat flopped down as though Amanda was meant to be a napping spot. "Meow."

Amanda understood the hint that was given to her. "Yes, Fluffy, I'm back. And yes, Fluffy, I remember the ground rules. You will tolerate my presence and even show some interest as long as I understand you are now the Princess around here," Amanda couldn't believe she was speaking these words to a cat! However by reassuring the creature, she hoped she would prevent a repeat of their last encounter.

Amanda had dropped by her parents for a surprised weekend visit back in early May. Mom and Dad had been delighted, but the new furry family member was quite distressed. It seemed Fluffy had been under the impression that she was the sole source of joy in the lives of Mr. and Mrs. Blings. Fluffy hadn't been pleased by the amount of attention and affection that was given to the perceived intruder. She totally ignored Amanda the first night and urinated on her jacket the next morning. Fluffy only warmed up to Amanda after she found the bags next to the front door on the second morning. The cat had happily came to the conclusion that this human was not going to be a permanent fixture.

Amanda petted Fluffy. Spoiled cat, she thought. "Adorable though. No wonder the folks put up with you." Fluffy began to purr. "Don't push you luck though, or else I will talk Mom into dressing you up as an elf!" Fluffy, probably thinking Amanda would carry out the threat, gave an insulted look and made an escape back under the bed.

Glancing at the clock, Amanda freshened up and went downstairs. "Need any help, Mom?"

"Sure, you could help me with the salad," the youthful fifty-three year old woman, Samantha Blings, said over her shoulder as she set the table. As Amanda washed her hands, Samantha gave her a curious look. "So, are you going to tell me what is wrong?"

"Ok, how did you know?" Amanda asked with amazement.

"Honey, I don't need to be a genius to see something is troubling you. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, but you don't have any excitement. Tomorrow all of our family will be gathering at your Grandma's for dinner, caroling, and presents. You would ordinarily be bouncing off the walls by now."

Mom, I am 24! Maybe, I'm just a little bit too mature to be 'bouncing off the walls," Amanda said, a little defensively.

"Oh Amanda! Who are you kidding? You talked your co-workers into going treat-or-tricking as punk rockers just this year! Your are going to be an eighty year old kid! So, what is up?"

"Okay, okay, I'm thinking of leaving my job," Amanda admitted, eyes brimming with tears. "I don't think my heart can take anymore heartache."

"Oh Honey, what happened?" Samantha led her daughter to the kitchen table. Everyone knew how Amanda loved her job at Brighter Days, a home for pregnant teenagers who didn't have much family support. Brighter Days helped girls with the major decisions that came with having a baby. If a girl decided to raise her child, the staff would help her learn independent living skills and find ways to keep the teen in school. If the girl decided to put her baby up for adoption, then the staff would help with the adoption process with a reputable agency. Brighter Days was the reason that Amanda didn't spend Thanksgivings in Skylight. It was her holiday to be with the girls.

"It's this girl Christina. She's only thirteen, and she just gave birth to a baby a few weeks ago. Her story is very typical of many of the girls at Brighter Days. Her dad isn't in the picture, and her mom has been working long hours just to support the two of them. Christina found herself pregnant after an older boy gave her a bit of attention," Amanda looked sadly at her mother. "She came to Brighter Days three months ago, asking us for help. She needed emotional support, and she had decided to give her baby up for adoption. For Christina, this was the most loving thing to do. She wanted her child to have the things that a thirteen year old mother couldn't provide.

"No wonder you are so upset. Christina sounds so much like your birth mother," Samantha said with understanding. If people didn't know the Blings family personally, they may have been surprised to learn that Amanda Blings was Bill and Samantha's adopted daughter. It was true that Amanda didn't really look like any of the Blings in town, but she definitely acted like one of them. She had always had a compassion heart, a quick mind, a sense of humor, and the belief that good always wins in the end. Amanda even had the same gestures as Bill, such as biting her lip when puzzled.

Bill and Samantha had brought their baby girl home 24 years earlier on December 21st. It was the reason that Christmas was extra special in their home. Always knowing about her adoption, Amanda, as a young child, secretly thought that the world was so happy that she had found a mommy and daddy that it surely had to be one of the reason that Christmas was celebrated. Along with presents from Santa Claus and family, the little girl would find a special present marked, "Welcome Home."

"I know. She even reminded me of my birth mother in other ways- thoughtful, quiet, serious, and brave." Amanda had first met her birth mother Brenda Pierce at the age of 18. Amanda had the typical longing for answers that many adopted children had. The Blings had also promised themselves that they would never hinder Amanda in becoming connected with her roots. Their understanding only made Amanda love her parents more.

It had been an opened adoption, so it was easy to find Brenda. The encounter and the telling of Brenda's story were healing for both women. Brenda gained the knowledge that her child was given a good and loving family. In returned, Amanda had her questions answered. She also had learned that her fierce green eyes and love of water came from her birth mother.

Amanda had assumed that meeting with Brenda would be good, but she didn't expect getting to know her birth mother would have been such an influence on her future. Amanda decided that she wanted to help teenage girls as they dealt with unplanned pregnancies. She felt deep compassion, listening to Brenda's story, That is why Amanda moved 4 hours from her hometown to join the staff of Brighter Days. She made the move after receiving her BA in Family Psychology.

Amanda shook her head, "It was more than than Christina's resembling Brenda, however, Mom."

"Oh? What else happened?"

"Well, we helped Christina find adoptive parents. She was still extremely sad, of course, but knowing that her baby was going to be raised by this loving couple gave her peace about her decision. These people, however, pulled out of the adoption after the birth of Thomas Keith." Amanda paused and took a deep breath. "He was born with a birth mark that covered much of his left side, and the doctors were unsure how much "repair" can be done. The parents said they were sorry, but they weren't bargaining for this."

Samantha moved her chair closer to Amanda, "I'm so sorry. Poor little guy, but Amanda, this doesn't mean that there is not another family who will adopt and love Thomas."

"Logically, I know that is true. But Mom, I think I'm losing my belief that everything works out in the end. It's just so sad. This baby was more or less rejected for his appearance- although you should see him. He's darling. Christina blames herself and is so fearful that her child won't ever be a part of a loving family. He has been placed in the foster care system, and as of three days ago no family has been found for him."

"You know, Amanda, 24 years ago I thought no child would be found for me. Your dad and I had been wanting to adopt for almost 3 years, and it was such a hard time. We had 2 birth mothers change their minds. Each time it felt like my heart had been ripped up and shredded."

Amanda was a bit surprised, "I didn't know that. Birth mothers do change their minds at Brighter Days, but I never quite realized how difficult it would be for the adoptive parents."

"It wasn't easy, but don't you see? So much good came out of that situation. I just couldn't see it in the midst of it. First, two children were able to remain with their mothers. And second, I wouldn't have the pleasure of being your mother if one of the other adoptions went through," Samantha's eyes became filled with joy and confidence, "That Christmas Eve, as I held you in my arms, I promised myself that I would never doubt the goodness in the world. Despite the troubles and pain in this life, I knew goodness would always prevail in the end."

"And that is why you have hope for Baby Thomas?" Amanda asked thoughtfully.

'Exactly! I truly believe that things will work out somehow for him."

Before Amanda could process this, her dad came barging in, "Merry Christmas, Everyone!" Bill, seeing that his daughter was upset, went to her. "Amanda, what is wrong? What has your mother done now? Tell me, and I will make sure Santa puts her on the naughty list!" Bill was always trying to lighten the mood and make people feel better.

"Bill, Amanda is going through a hard time. Besides, you know your wife is a perfect little angel and does nothing wrong."

Amanda weakly smiled. She loved her parents' teasing nature. "It's okay, Dad. I will explain over dinner." And with that, the family of three finished preparing the meal.

Having dinner with her parents had been refreshing to Amanda's soul. Still, her mind was troubled the next day. It was Christmas Eve. "Where was Thomas? How was Christina doing? Would things really work out for the baby who had so many challenges ahead of him?" These were the questions that kept running through Amanda's mind even as she drove to her Grandma's house for their Christmas Eve celebration. (Amanda had wanted to drive separately from her parents, in case she decided to leave early.)

Amanda arrived and genuinely felt happy at seeing that all of her aunts, uncles, and cousins-on her mom's side-had made it. Not long from Amanda's arrival, her grandma came up to her, gushing, "Amanda! You must come to the kitchen and see the Peppers! They have dropped by before they head to their family's dinner to show off their new baby!"

"New baby? I didn't know that Michelle was even pregnant!"

"She wasn't. Michelle and Jack have just gotten a baby boy to adopt. He's so precious. You must see!"

Oh, that is great!" Amanda exclaimed, following her grandma. She was glad that at least one baby had found a family this holiday season.

Amanda froze as she entered the kitchen and people parted to allow her to meet the newest citizen of Skylight. There, with Michelle and Jack doting over him, laid Thomas in a portable bassinet! "Thomas! Oh my goodness! It's you!"

Jack, beaming, asked, "Hey, how do you know our little guy?"

Amanda stated simply and happily, "His birth mother was a resident of mine!"

'You mean Christina?" Michelle asked, and Amanda nodded. "She is such a sweet, brave girl. Our adoption attorney told us about Christina and Thomas' story just a few days ago. Jack and I knew right away that we wanted to adopt Thomas, and we were able to pick him up last night."

"We know that Thomas will have challenges with his birth mark, but we will meet them together," Jack added.

"He's such a blessing, Amanda, and he has made this Christmas the best ever," the proud mother said, picking up the baby and kissing him.

'This is amazing!" Amanda was overwhelmed with emotion as she placed her finger in the baby's hand. Making happy baby noises, Thomas gave Amanda a squeeze.

It was then that Amanda had renewed her faith. Indeed, there was goodness in the world. And it did prevail. She knew she would never forget this extra special Christmas Eve. For at least that moment, all was right in the world.

Amanda arrived home later that night. "Hey, Honey, where have you been? Your Mom and I got back over an hour ago."

"I had alot of pondering to do after tonight."

"Oh, I know," Samantha shook her head in disbelief, "This life never ceases to amaze me."

"Yeah," Amanda agreed. "Anyway, I was driving around and I came across the store Pet Fashions. I was in a good mood, of course, so I thought I would get Fluffy a Christmas gift.

"That was very thoughtful, Amanda," Samantha replied as she took the box Amanda had handed her. Fluffy's ears went back as she eyed the box. Unwrapping the gift, Samantha exclaimed, "Look, Fluffy, a little elf outfit! This will look so cute on you tomorrow! What do you think, my little furry darling?"

In response, Fluffy jolted upstairs. Obviously, Fluffy would have to rethink this "goodness business" that her humans have been discussing this holiday season.....