The Perfect Christmas - Debbie Macomber [91]
The couple with the baby followed, along with the young navy man who lugged his own bag as well as the infant seat. It never ceased to amaze Clayton that one baby could need this much equipment. Time was, a bottle or two and a few diapers would suffice. These days it took the mother and two full-grown men to cart everything in. Clayton was pleased to see that the couple had struck up a friendship with the sailor. They certainly seemed to have a great deal to talk about.
The sales rep boarded next, after helping an elderly black couple with their luggage. This was the man who’d spent a large portion of the day before scowling and muttering under his breath. Kemper didn’t know what had happened to him, but this morning the man grinned from ear to ear and was about as helpful as they come.
“We appreciate everything you did for us, Kemper,” he said as he made his way into the train.
Five-year-old Kate bounced onto the first step and told Clayton, “Santa came last night and dropped off a present for me and Charles.”
“Did he now?” Clayton asked, catching Elise Jones’s eyes.
“Indeed, he did,” Elise said with a wide smile.
Apparently the adults had arranged something for the children. Clayton was glad to hear it. He wished he’d been able to do more himself, but he had his own family and plenty of obligations. It was a sad case when the railroad had to put people up in a depot for the night, especially when that night happened to be Christmas Eve.
He waited until everyone was on board before he stepped away from the train. Glancing inside the compartment, he watched fascinated as the group of once-cantankerous travelers cheerfully teased one another. Anyone looking at them would assume they were lifelong friends, even family.
Was it possible, Clayton wondered, that this small band of strangers had discovered the true meaning of Christmas? Learned it in a train depot late on Christmas Eve in the middle of a snowstorm?
The question seemed to answer itself.
A few years ago, at the end of my Cedar Cove story 8 Sandpiper Way, I answered questions about Christmas. I’ve updated some of the answers, so if you haven’t read the interview—or even if you have—I hope you’ll enjoy this….
I’ve now written quite a few Christmas stories, including Where Angels Go, as well as Call Me Mrs. Miracle, Trading Christmas, There’s Something About Christmas and most recently 1225 Christmas Tree Lane. Just don’t ask me to choose a favorite!
A few years ago, at the end of my Cedar Cove story 8 Sandpiper Way, I answered questions about Christmas. I’ve updated some of the answers, so if you haven’t read the interview—or even if you have—I hope you’ll enjoy this….
I’ve now written quite a few Christmas stories, including Where Angels Go, as well as Call Me Mrs. Miracle, Trading Christmas, There’s Something About Christmas and most recently 1225 Christmas Tree Lane. Just don’t ask me to choose a favorite!
Christmas Interview with Debbie Macomber
You obviously love Christmas. Can you say why?
When I was growing up, Christmas was always the biggest and most important holiday in the family calendar, taking precedence over birthdays and other celebrations. So many wonderful childhood memories revolve around Christmas for me—baking cookies with my mother for family and friends, wrapping gifts while listening to Christmas music, shopping for the perfect gift, cooking. My father was the youngest in a family of eight and we all lived close together, so I had lots of cousins nearby, which meant big family gatherings, too.
What are some of your favorite childhood memories of Christmas?
Well, other than the things I mentioned above, it’s midnight mass with my parents, aunts, uncles and cousins. After mass we’d drive home and open our gifts. Sometimes we didn’t finish until three or four in the morning and then we’d all go to bed, happy and excited. Late the next morning we’d get up, ready to celebrate some more!
What’s your idea of a perfect Christmas meal?
This may surprise you. It’s not the traditional