Snowfall (19 page)

“I do,” he said as he opened the back door wide and stepped outside, Frank barking at his heels.

Our snow angels are pretty. The prettiest angels ever.

Karin, Age 5

The snow had begun falling sometime in the middle of the night. Early that morning, soon after Lovina prepared her butternut squash casserole, she walked out onto the big front porch and watched the snow continue to fall. Each flake was big and fluffy, perfectly beautiful. The kind of snow meant for children to play in.

Behind her, the door opened. “Lovina, you're going to catch your death. Come in from the cold.”

Because she was feeling a little chilled, she immediately complied. Once inside, she picked up her warm mug of coffee again. “It's Christmas, Aaron.”

“It is, at that. Merry Christmas.”

She smiled back at him. “Merry Christmas to you, too.”

“Do you think we'll all still be able to get to Elsie's
haus
today?”

“Of course.” Suddenly, he grinned in a way he hadn't in years, making him look almost boyish. “I betcha Peter's already gotten out the sleigh.”

“Aaron, when was the last time we went for a sleigh ride? Five years ago?”

“More like ten.” Moving closer, he said, “I seem to remember thinking that we were too old for sleigh rides.” He shook his head. “Now I realize that was a foolish thought. I'm finding myself eager to glide through the fields for a bit.”

Lovina chuckled. “Me, too.” Thinking about how fun it was going to be to sit with her family while the horses trotted, the bells on their harnesses ringing merrily, she sighed. “It's going to be a
wonderful-gut
day. And guess what? All I had to make was some squash.”

Aaron placed an arm around her shoulder. “We can enjoy the day while our granddaughters fret and fuss. What do you think, dear? Will they be up to the task of feeding all of us Keims?”

“Of course. But it doesn't matter if everything isn't perfect. Not really. Because we're going to have lots of our family together. That's a blessing.”

Her husband's eyes softened. “It is that. We are blessed beyond words to still be alive on this earth. To have each other. To have our
kinner
and our grandchildren.”

“And our great-grandchildren.”

“Blessed beyond measure,” he murmured. “I'm going to go to the barn to check on the horses.”

“Peter and Roman will take care of the horses.”

“No, I don't think so,” he retorted. “It's Christmas morning. I have a need to walk around for a bit.” His lips curved. “And, of course, see if the animals are talking.”

Remembering that old story, she chuckled. “The animals talk to each other on Christmas Eve, not Christmas morning.”

“Just to be on the safe side, I'll go do some checking.”

After he left, she tightened her robe a bit more securely, slipped her feet into her cozy slippers, and padded into the kitchen, just in time to see Annie come out of the spare bedroom. “Merry Christmas, Annie!”

“Merry Christmas.” Annie's eyes bright with happiness, she said, “Did you know it's snowing?”

“I did. And because of the snow, we'll all be going to Elsie's
haus
in a sleigh.”

“I can't wait,” Annie said as she helped herself to a cup of coffee.

Lovina smiled at her, then noticed that Annie didn't seem completely happy. “Annie, you look a little blue. Are you all right?”

She shrugged. “I was merely wishing that my visit here wasn't almost over.”

“You've enjoyed your time here in Ohio, haven't you?”

“I have. I really have.” Her brown eyes were shining. Lovina wasn't sure if it was disappointment or if she was on the verge of tears.

All Lovina did know was that she felt the same way.

“What . . . What would you think about staying here?”

Annie's chin popped up. “What do you mean?”

“I mean that Aaron and I would love to have you stay with us even after Viola and Edward go back to Belize. If that is something you might like, that is.”

“You really wouldn't mind my staying?”

Lovina shook her head. “I wouldn't mind at all. In fact, I would love your company.”

“But what would I do?”

Lovina shrugged. “You could do what the rest of us do, dear. Spend time with friends. Visit Elsie and those Rhodes
kinner
. Plant a garden, make a quilt, read books, go for walks. Learn to bake.” She winked. “Who knows? Maybe even fall in love one day.”

“Do you think I really could stay?”

“Annie, dear. I've learned that with God all things are possible. If you want to do this, all you have to do is let me know. We'll talk to Viola and Edward and then we'll call your father, too.”

Annie stared at her for a long moment before nodding. “
Danke
, Lovina. I would like that. I mean . . . I would love that very much.”

“It's settled, then. Now, you'd best get yourself ready to spend the day at Elsie's!”

After giving her a quick, exuberant hug, Annie darted out of the kitchen.

Feeling happy and excited about Annie's decision, Lovina poured herself another cup of coffee, then decided to take it back to the big easy chair in their bedroom. Though the day was sure to be busy, there was time to watch the snow some more.

And as she did, she thought about how it covered everything up. But only temporarily.

And thought about how that was Christ's rebirth.

And how the Lord brought them snow at all the most important points in their lives. When things needed to be covered up and briefly forgotten, snow came, making all the ugly in life beautiful for a short time.

Making everything perfect and fresh. New.

Then, of course, He would ensure that nothing covered up would last long. It would be briefly out of mind and out of sight . . . until the weather warmed or the sun came out.

Much of it like the rhythm of their lives and her family. For a brief time their bonds had been covered up, lost in the grime of daily living.

Or maybe it was their faith that had needed to be cleansed. Now time had come full circle. The Lord was giving them another opportunity to make things fresh and new in their family. Forcing them to stay together for just a little while longer.

That first snowfall of the season was everything.

It was unexpected and exciting and nerve-wracking and beautiful. It was cold and icy and dangerous and perfect.

It was like faith. And love. Like everything worth remembering. Like everything that was special and meaningful.

Like Christmas Day.

P.S. Insights, Interviews & More . . .

Meet Shelley Shepard Gray

Letter from the Author

Questions for Discussion

A Sneak Peek of Shelley Shepard Gray's Next Book,
A Promise at Palm Grove

P
EOPLE OFTEN ASK
how I started writing. Some believe I've been a writer all my life; others ask if I've always felt I had a story I needed to tell. I'm afraid my reasons couldn't be more different. See, I started writing one day because I didn't have anything to read.

I've always loved to read. I was the girl in the back of the classroom with her nose in a book, the mom who kept a couple of novels in her car to read during soccer practice, the person who made weekly visits to the bookstore and the library.

Back when I taught elementary school, I used to read during my lunch breaks. One day, when I realized I'd forgotten to bring something to read, I turned on my computer and took a leap of faith. Feeling a little like I was doing something wrong, I typed those first words:
Chapter One.

I didn't start writing with the intention of publishing a book. Actually, I just wrote for myself.

For the most part, I still write for myself, which is why, I think, I'm able to write so much. I write books that I'd like to read. Books that I would have liked to have in my old teacher tote bag. I'm always relieved and surprised and so happy when other people want to read my books, too!

Another question I'm often asked is why I choose to write inspirational fiction. Maybe at first glance, it does seem surprising. I'm not the type of person who usually talks about my faith in the line at the grocery store or when I'm out to lunch with friends. For me, my faith has always felt like more of a private thing. I feel that I'm still on my faith journey—still learning and studying God's word.

And that, I think, is why writing inspirational fiction is such a good fit for me. I enjoy writing about characters who happen to be in the middle of their faith journeys, too. They're not perfect, and they don't always make the right decisions. Sometimes they make mistakes, and sometimes they do something they're proud of. They're characters who are a lot like me.

Only God knows what else He has in store for me. He's given me the will and the ability to write stories to glorify Him. He's put many people in my life who are supportive and caring. I feel blessed and thankful . . . and excited to see what will happen next!

Dear Reader,

Thank you for picking up
Snowfall.
I dearly love to write Christmas books, and I particularly enjoyed writing this one, my bow to one of my favorite musicals ever,
The Sound of Music.
Those Rhodes children made me laugh. Maybe it's because I taught elementary school for years, but I've always had a soft spot for children in books who are a little squirrely.

One day while I was writing this novella, I was thinking about Ruth and Christmas and all those kids . . . and I knew I needed to heap on the problems. I started thinking about the years when my two kids were little and when I felt especially overwhelmed. And that's when I remembered their having the chicken pox.

Now, I guess, kids get immunized for the chicken pox. Of course that's a good thing. But a part of me is going to feel just a little bit sorry for those parents who aren't going to have their own chicken pox battle stories to share. It seemed like a rite of passage, just like those terrible twos or when teenagers get their driving permits.

I remember my children having the chicken pox better than they do, mainly because they were very small. My daughter was three months old, my son twenty-one months old. They got the chicken pox right after my daughter had been in the hospital for croup and my son had had the stomach flu. I remember all this because I was teaching fourth grade, my husband had just started a new job, and we had to alternate taking days off work. I don't think I'll ever be that tired again!

Of course, the kids got through it just fine. Their parents did, too. All we have to remember of that week are a couple of scars and some photos.

Oh, and the memories! Nothing brought my husband and me closer than taking care of sick kids. As soon as I started writing those scenes with Martin and Ruth taking care of all those kids, I knew my hero and heroine were going to be just fine. If they could survive the chicken pox at Christmas, they could survive just about anything!

I hope you, on the other hand, have been enjoying a worry-free and stress-free holiday! I hope you're planning to celebrate Christ's birth with family and friends and cookies and a turkey or two.

But if, by chance, things aren't perfect, I hope you will find God's blessings in the littlest of things, too. A good book, a warm fire, or, perhaps, a really beautiful snowfall.

Wishing you many blessings, and a Merry Christmas, too! Shelley Shepard Gray