A Complete Christmas

Author's Note: I wrote this piece in the spirit of Christmas. I tried to use good word choice

"I don't think I can do this anymore mom" Kaylee said to her mom.

"It will all be over soon honey" Kaylee's mom assured her.

"I just want to have a family Christmas for once"

"Me too"

For Kaylee's family a Christmas all together was sadly unfamiliar. Ever since she was little her father was in the Army. He was deployed at unexpected times and for an unknown time. If he wasn't deployed in another country he was in training. She was extremely proud of what he was doing for their country, but at the same time she just wanted a dad who came to her school performances and who would play in the backyard with her. She would see her friends' dads at school and sports just wishing someday hers   would be there too.

Ever since Kaylee was little she was always a Daddy's Girl. She loved playing baseball with him in the yard and watching the sports games on TV with him. It's not as if she was a tom boy, it was about the time she spent with him. As every day passed their friendship grew stronger. That's what they were -- best friends. Their close bond made his deployment even harder.

Sadness, Emptiness, and longing filled the home and hearts of the Smith's family the day their dad and husband left for the army. He reassured them what he couldn’t promise -- he would come home safely. Every day they would pray and hope that he was ok. He was deployed more and more times, though the worrying never ceased.

Janet, Kaylee's mom was a mother who loved her husband and family unconditionally. She was a mother of 3 children who always wanted them to do their best and to follow their dreams. When her husband was deployed she felt as if part of her left with him. Without him, it was as if she wasn’t herself. She wasn’t as happy or cheerful. The longer her husband was gone the more she longed for him to come back. For her it wasn’t a choice to show how much she worried about him in front of her children. It was her job to comfort them.

As Christmas was coming Kaylee and her siblings longed for her father more than ever. Christmas was always a hard time without him. She would hear about everything her friends were doing with their families for the holidays and wished for once they would be able to have a family Christmas. The past few Christmases had been nothing more than delivery pizza and 1 present for each of the kids. Kaylee knew how hard it was for her mom to provide the family on a small income. It seemed as if every year it became less and less about the joy of the holiday but how they were going to get through it.

Kaylee knew her family was separating more and more and she knew the only person who could stop this was her dad. She knew her dad coming home for Christmas was not possible. He did not get to choose his leave. Kaylee knew that if it was his choice he would be home for the Holidays. He would be there for every activity of hers and her siblings.

When John was told he would have a leave over Christmas he was ecstatic. "Thank you" became his most used word. He decided that he would make his arrival a surprise.

When Christmas Morning came it was just as any other morning with very brief conversations between each other. Without saying a word her mother handed the children their presents. They opened in silence and all thanked their mother. Kaylee knew this was really hard for her mother. She must have worked extra hours to come up with the money to buy the gifts. Kaylee expressed her gratitude toward her. An empty feeling still filled the house. Something was missing and it was obvious what it was their dad. He loved Christmas and enjoyed making it special for the kids.

Just as the kids thought their Christmas hoo-raah was over there was a knock on the door. Kaylee opened the door and jumped into the arms of her father. The whole family ran over and gave hugs. For once Christmas was complete.