The Best Gift

Assignment
Write a few paragraphs describing the point of view of the story and why you chose it. Also write a paragraph for each of the main characters describing their voice type and why they talk that way, etc. Also make a note about the type of voice you will use for the entire story - more aggressive, softer, child like etc and explain why. Save this for future lessons.

I chose to write this story in third person omniscient. I found it easier to write the story with a narrator who knew everything about everyone in the story. I have MEGA problems with point of view and going from one to another without realising it.

Jonathan is a four year old boy with a speech problem filled to overflowing with excitement. He loves his Nana and harbours no doubt she loves him just as much as he does her.

Sandy is an older lady who has endured hardships in life, finds the freedom she feared most became enjoyable, then lost it again as she takes in a 34 year woman with three small children.

If Sandy tells the story, it would be a book instead of a story.

The voice of the story is that of someone looking down on the setting filling in reasons why Sandy, Jonathan, and the coworkers think and react as they do.

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"Nana, I wanna see my choo-choo!"

Four years old and full of vim and vigor, Jonathan begs to watch Polar Express again. He is mesmerized by the show. He has fallen asleep watching the same show every night for the past two months. It is addictive to him.

"Are you sure you don't want to watch something else tonight?" Nana inquired.

"No, I wanna see my choo-choo." Jonathan is adamant. Nothing but The Polar Express will appease him.

Nana popped the movie in the VHS tape player. The DVD version had been worn out last Christmas when Jonathan had been obsessed with the same show.

His ebony hair and olive complexion was almost too pretty to belong to a boy. Some day he will be followed around by a dozen girls vying for even a minute of his time. Nana was sure of it.

His full lips were so smooth and always had kisses driping with sweetness waiting for Nana. She wondered why sometimes a child could fixate on something the way Jon had about The Polar Express. What caused him to constantly want to see and hear the same thing? What was it that had captured a piece of his soul?

It was going to be the best birthday she had ever had, she just knew it. All the ladies she worked with thought she had lost her mind. They all knew her as Sandy instead of Nana.

"Your birthday is coming up soon isn't it?" Rita asked.

Sandy replied, "Another two weeks and I'll be 58. Having a hard time figuring out how I got to be this age."

"You got a hot date planned?" Gina wanted to know.

Sandy had been single for a number of years and everyone at work was always wanting to know when she was going to get a boyfriend.

"Actually, I do."

"Whoa, we got to hear about this mystery man," her coworkers chimed.

"Well, he's probably THE best looking male I've ever seen," Sandy began.

"He has black hair, deep chocolate eyes, olive skin and no one has sweeter kisses."

"Whoo-Hoo, when are we getting to see this hunk?"

"Here, let me go to Facebook. I have his picture posted in my photo albums."

"Oh, Sandy! Your grandson does not count. Really, when are you going to do something for yourself instead of everyone else?"

Sandy's life thus far had not always held beautiful bouquets. She had reaped her share of thorns along the way. Death had taken one husband. Overwhelming grief had poured down on her crushing her spirit for several years when her next marriage had ended in divorce.

She had battled cancer three times and learned God holds all things, bar none, in His capable hands. Her one shining star had been the joy her children had brought her throughout the years. They were her reason for everything. Ahh, but they were all grown and living lives of their own now.

All of her life, her biggest fear was of being alone. She had finally come to terms with that also. She worked two and at times three jobs, but that kept her busy. Part of the reason was loneliness. Part of the reason was simply financial need. Her ex-husband had absconded with all funds down to cashing in life insurance policies. He had depleted all assets without her knowledge due to staying with one of her sons after surgery. She had lost their home and so many things precious to her. No matter the reasons, she had nothing and had to work.

As in all other things she adapted. There were times now when she relished the quiet time. For the first time, she was free to go and come at will. She could stay up as long as she pleased. She could sleep as long as she pleased. She could watch anything she wanted on television. She could clean the house or just let it go. She could buy anything she pleased within her budget. She no longer had to ask anyone else's opinion. She didn't have to disucuss whether she should paint the walls a neutral shade or go wild with bright hues. She could do whatever she wanted.

Then about a year ago her daughter's best friend from high school had approached her needing a place to live. Jennifer and her three children, Alexis, Eddie, and Jonathan now lived with Nana. Jennifer's parents were deceased and Sandy had been Nana since their birth.

There were days she wondered what she'd been thinking when she offered her home as a safe-haven. No more privacy. No more quiet. No more walking through the house naked. Care had to be taken so child-proof shows only were viewed on the television. Then there were days like the one with Jonathan dancing around the living room piping, "Hot-hot choc-it, hot-hot choc-kit!" just like the train conductor did in The Polar Express.

Everyone got to enjoy steaming cups of warm cocoa with marshmallows floating on top as a family. Yes, some things were worth the sacrifice.

Sandy was having her hair trimmed and styled. The beautician she used was telling her about a special showing at the IMAX theater in Birmingham, Alabama. The hair stylist was enraptured at the effect it had on her own four year old child.

"They are showing The Polar Express for the Christmas season. You go in your pjs and have a party completed with a visit from Santa and hot chocolate. It was an exceptional experience. It was well worth the 250 mile trip. It was a Christmas memory that can never be replaced."

In that second, Sandy knew what she wanted for her birthday. With limited funds, she hit all the sales and found a new pair of soft, new fleece pajamas for everyone. Alexis would have pink with soft-looking puppies; Eddie would be wearing his favorite color blue plaid with ducks in flight; Jennifer would sport pastel mint green sprinkled with baby ducks; Sandy's own pajamas would be thick, plush, pink warmth and of course, Jon-Jon would have a Polar Express scene on his.

Sandy could envision the children's eyes sparkling with excitement as Santa makes his entrance to the pj party after viewing the show. Jonathan would be repeating word for word the script of the actors as the story evolved. They would all be able to sing every song with the movie. It would be an adventure like none they had ever experienced and would be something to cherish for a lifetime. They had never been to half a dozen movies in a theater, much less a 3-D IMAX showing. Nana's eyes filled with moistness merely thinking of it.

It was her birthday. It was her money. It was her time and sometimes the best gift is one given.

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