"A Moment Frozen in Time"

All around her was a winter wonderland, right out of a storybook. The snow was perfect to build snowmen and make angels with her brother and sisters.
She stood outside a window and there was her family eating Christmas dinner, the steam was rising from the cooked bird. She could smell the aroma of wondrous food; the creamed potatoes, vegetables and mincemeat pies.

Mom was in red wool with her pearls, and Dad was carving the turkey with a smile, nodding as he counted the number of children eating. Stockings hung by the inviting fire, the candles gave all a heavenly glow, and brightly wrapped gifts were under the lovely tree.

Ginny saw her stocking so they had not forgotten her. She went to the door and knocked as hard as she could and no one seemed to hear the noise. If they didn't see her soon, her chance would be gone.

Emily had told her that there was a chance of returning home but it had to be a perfect window in time so Ginny tried each year.

Her little sister Josie had Ginny's favorite doll, holding it tight. When Ginny had been laid in the coffin, Debbie and Josie had fought over the doll. Should it go with Ginny into the "forever place"? She was glad they kept the doll.

She remembered that last terrible night. Ginny had run from her house in her Mother's slippers. They were so big, she had literally run out of them. She and her brother Ned had a fuss and he locked her out. Their parents weren't home and Ned didn't know he was risking his sister's life.

Ginny was so cold. Her gloves didn't help, the fabric was unraveling. She didn't own a hat for her exposed head with soft dark ringlets of hair. Snowflakes adorned her crown of beauty and long eyelashes. She didn't even see what was coming. A heavy wagon came around the corner striking her down. She was so cold she didn't feel the pain. The driver didn't stop. A cop found a broken lifeless little girl.

He knew that this kind of pain is why he became a cop. He had lost his own Mom when her car stalled on a train track. He knew the pain that breaks a heart and when he gave a hug and said, "I know how this hurts".
Folks knew that he did.

Now, just like that night, her Grandmother appearred to bring her back to the "eternity home". When Ginny died on that cold night her Granny Bessie escorted her to meet angels. Granny had died just the month before. She opened her arms and Ginny walked into the light and love of forever.


By Kathie Stehr