Merry Christmas to you all! I wanted to get this update posted before I go to the celebration in heaven, and I do not have much time, so I will keep it as brief as possible, though there is much to bring joy and worry.
Pamela went last night to a Christmas party hosted by Christine. She feels as if a heavy weight has been lifted from her shoulders, because she is finished with her position at the school where Daniel was. Aside from the relief of being away from him, she is excited about her new career, pleased with her new friendship with Christine, and strong enough, she thinks, to stand alone for a while. And, in the irony that we can often see in human relationships, I have found a man who might suit her.
His name is Lee, and he is a friend of Christine’s. In truth, I noticed him first, because he noticed Pamela the moment she walked into the room. She looked marvelous in a brand new, bright-red dress, but it was her joy that lit her up like a star. He could not take his eyes off her, and she could not help but notice that before the evening was over. They only exchanged a few words, but she thought of him on her way home.
I like what I have seen of him so far, but I will have to look more into him before I encourage Pamela to think of him seriously. Anyone else I bring to her will have to be carefully examined, or else I run the risk of hurting her again, and that is absolutely the last thing I want. I also want to respect her wishes—she feels stronger now than she has in some time, and if some time standing alone will help her, then I am more than happy to give her that.
Jonathan is celebrating the holiday with his parents, having flown down to see them a few days ago. After the holiday, however, he will be returning to Maine to spend a few days with Lauren and her family. Their relationship is progressing quite smoothly, and he is revealing more of himself to her than I was ever able to see. I look forward to getting to know both of them better.
Mary is also enjoying her holiday. She and her mother and brothers have been staying at her grandmother’s house, and while there are some tensions among the family, Mary has the support of talking to Natalie whenever she needs to. There are a few others, too, friends of Natalie’s that she has introduced to Mary. It has been a balm to my young charge’s spirit, to not only have friends who understand what she is going through, but to be able to help them in return. And it has given me an idea as to some work that may continue to heal her—but that will be for after the time of celebration.
As for Shannon, I have less of good to report. She is still in a relationship with Thomas, if a relationship it can be called. They meet one another for sex, and sometimes they will spend time together, but when they are together they are either paying no attention to one another, or too much. I do not like him—he is conceited and selfish, careless of her feelings and her thoughts, only caring for her physical beauty. But then, she is much the same. They are not spending the holiday together, but I am certain they will get back together as soon as they are both back in the same city.
Myrtle and Jaquinn are prospering. They are with her family this year, but they are already discussing the possibility of spending Christmas on their own next year. Myrtle called her brother this evening and talked for more than an hour, and she managed to ask after their mother and listen to the latest news calmly. Time is healing her wound. They have solid plans to move in the spring; they have a house already and jobs lined up, and everything is coming together.
In fact, everything is going so well for them that I am to be removed from their case. I greet this news with both joy and sorrow, as always. More surprising, however, was the news that I am also to be removed from Morgan and Brooke’s case. I was astonished at this, as the two of them have still been at odds for the past few days, but Danit only smiled and told me to go and find them.
When I did, I understood, for Morgan was only a mile away from Brooke’s family home this afternoon, driving too fast and filled with resolve. She parked her car haphazardly and ran into the house—I had to remind her to look before she raced into the street—and burst in on the family in the middle of an early dinner.
Brooke jumped to her feet, blood rushing to her face. “Morgan,” she breathed, her eyes fixed on Morgan’s face. “I thought you weren’t—”
It took Morgan precisely that long to cross the room and snatch Brooke into her arms, kissing her passionately. Brooke’s mother coughed and looked away, a little smile on her face, and her younger brothers exchanged grins.
When the two broke apart—the second time that Brooke’s father coughed—Morgan smiled and pushed a strand of hair behind Brooke’s ear. “Of course I came,” she murmured. “Wouldn’t have missed it.”
Brooke blinked back tears. “Then—you forgive me?”
Morgan stepped back, growing solemn. “There’s nothing to forgive,” she said clearly. “I’ve been thinking it over and I realized something. The only reason there was a problem is because I haven’t made myself clear. You were doubting that I want to be with you forever, and that’s my fault, not yours. So.” She took a deep breath, cast a nervous glance around at Brooke’s family, then squared her shoulders and sank down to one knee.
Brooke suddenly felt dizzy, and I had to stand close behind her to give her strength, my own joy leaping into her to steady her knees.
Tears in her eyes, Morgan drew a small blue box from her pocket. “Brooke,” she said, speaking slowly through shaking lips. “My best friend, my rock, my family, my inspiration, my love—will you please give me the best Christmas present in the world?” She opened the box to show a small, glittering ring.
Brooke’s brothers were punching one another and grinning, while Brooke’s mother had her hands over her mouth and tears in her eyes. Dumbfounded, Brooke extended her left hand—her fingers were shaking. But she laughed with Morgan as the silver ring slid onto her finger. Then she sprang into Morgan’s arms while the entire family cheered.
It was the result that I hoped for, and it brings me so much joy that I can hardly think. I stood in that dining room and I threw out my wings and I sang out in gratitude and gladness, drawing all of them close to my heart. And I could see what Danit meant—they are past the worst of their struggle now, and though there will be struggles to come, their love is strong enough to take them through everything they must face without my help.
I will attend the wedding, of course.
Joy and tension and confusion and friendship and hurt and hope—above all, hope. This is the human condition, and it will belong to all of us someday. I wish you that this holiday season, this celebration of the Birth. May we all find our joy in love, and may we all find our love filled with and fed by joy.