Here’s the link to the beginning of the story (https://joebroadmeadowblog.com/2022/12/10/a-christmas-tale/)

“So what do you think you’d like to get your mom for Christmas, Declan?” his grandfather asked.

“I have no idea, maybe a necklace or a new car,” Declan answered.

His grandfather laughed, spilling his coffee. “Ah, let’s keep the budget under control a bit. A new car is a bit out of my range.”

As they walked through the mall, Declan looked around. “I still don’t understand why we couldn’t just order it online and have it delivered. Like the rest of the world.”

“Where’s the fun in that? Actually shopping is part of the joy of Christmas. It’s more personal. Let’s look in here.”

“Here?” Declan said, looking at the displays and the crowds. “This is all stuff for little babies.”

“I know, but I like to look at it and there are other things you may want on the other side of the store, This is a faster way there.”

Wandering through the aisles, it seemed that every woman there was pregnant. Declan and his grandfather helped one woman wrestle a giant stuffed panda in her cart then helped another bring a huge box over to the counter.

It seemed they spent more time helping others than they did shopping. Finally, they made their way to the jewelry department, picked out a nice necklace, then went to the food court and ordered a pizza..

“So what do you think?” his grandfather asked.

“Think about what?”

“About all those pregnant women shopping for Christmas.”

“I don’t know. What’s there to think about?”

‘Why are they buying toys for Christmas if the babies aren’t even here yet?”

“Well the babies will be here sooner or later and they can give them the presents then.”

“So they’re planning for the future?”

“Duh, of course they are. Everyone buying gifts is planning for Christmas. How else would there be gifts on Christmas day?”

“They’re anticipating Christmas?”

Declan started to answer then stopped. He looked at his grandfather, then looked at all the people carrying boxes and bags through the mall. “I guess they all want Christmas to be fun and they are buying stuff for the people they care about.”

“And what do you think that says about all these people?” his grandfather asked.

Declan thought long and hard before he answered. “That none of them would be here if they didn’t have some kind of Christmas spirit. They believe in Christmases yet to come.”

His grandfather smiled. “I knew you figure it out. Now let’s go, we have to get home before the UPS driver drops off all the stuff I ordered online.”

“Grandpa!”

His grandfather shrugged. “Ah well, even I like to do things the easy way sometimes.”

Tomorrow: A Little Old Driver, So Lively and Quick