Christmas One Month Late (By Joshua, age 10)

January 26, 2013

Yesterday was such a great day!  You see, it was Christmas, 1 month late.  I was playing outside with my sisters and I heard my dad say, “O.K., so we’re trying to keep this a secret from the kids,” on the phone.  I got excited, but soon forgot about it.

Then a guy came to our house. I didn’t know who he was, but I had guessed that he was just here to fix dad’s printer or wireless or something like that.  I had no idea that he was the person bringing the ‘secret’.

At dinnertime, dad wasn’t at the table and mom was saying something that she wants it to be Epiphany (the day when the wise men brought gifts, after Christmas).  I had asked her what that had to do with dad being late and she had just smiled.  When dad got home, we said grace and ate, and after dinner, the surprise came.

“Alright guys,” dad said, “Guess what’s special about this date; January 24,” (which was that day).  After many, many hints, I guessed it: December 24 Christmas Eve.  I tell you that I was buzzing with excitement. I don’t know how dad kept the secret quiet at that dinner table.  “Now,” dad went on, speaking very slowly (for effect) “You know, Santa might not have gone down the chimney, but he might, might have left something there.”

Unable to hold herself, Jessica burst out from her seat and ran to the chimney. “Aww, there’s nothing there!” Jessica said after looking.

“Well,” dad said “There might, might be something at—now sit down until I say!—there might, might be something on the front porch.  On the count of 3 you can go look!  One, two, thr—No! No! No! Un, deux, troi—No! No! No! Eins…” and dad went on counting in different languages while mom searched for the camera.  And when she found it, dad said, “One, two, THREE!!!!!” and we all ran outside to see an amazing keyboard—what I had wanted!  So that is the story of how Christmas came 1 month late.

 Jessica was so excited about the piano that she kissed it. I just sat in a daze.

Also, today something incredible happened.  Here in Cameroon, in the middle of the dry season, we had snow!  Well, more like hail.  Here are some pics: 

            

And here’s the “snow” in Africa.