The Christmas Joy Ride Read Online Free PDF Page A

collected over the years. “It was always important that we had the real meaningof Christmas displayed prominently in our home,” she said as she unfurled a shepherd.
    â€œMy wife had a set similar to this one,” Thomas reminisced. “Don’t know what became of it.”
    â€œThis set was always special because I used it when my boys were small,” she explained. “Some of the pieces are chipped now.” She paused to examine a lamb. “And a wise man is missing, but I think if we swirl some angel hair around, no one will notice.” She handed the bag of fluffy strands to Thomas, watching as he carefully arranged it.
    â€œThat looks lovely,” she told him.
    â€œIt sure does.” He nodded with a reverent smile.
    The two of them stood there, admiring their work. Joy hoped that the nativity would be a blessing to the other residents as well. She wanted to remind them that Christmas was more than just glitter and garlands—but that color and sparkle were a wonderful way to celebrate the real Joy of Christmas. And before she walked away, she lifted the baby Jesus and gave it a little kiss—just like she’d always done—and laid it in the manger.
    â€œThat’s nice,” Thomas told her with misty eyes. “Real nice.”
    â€œThank you for helping,” she said.
    By 3:30 the activity room and boring reception area were glowing with color and light. Lured by the music, more residents began to trickle in, curiously examining the decorations and commenting in wonder. Joy happily greeted each person, almost as she would have welcomed a guest into her own home in years past. She wished each one a merry Christmas, then directed them to where Miranda was handing out Christmas cookies and punch. Meanwhile the Dean Martin Christmas music continued to play merrily.
    â€œIt feels like a party already,” LaShanda commented as she helped a wheelchair-bound woman get some treats.
    â€œAs it should.” Joy beamed at the room. Such a transformation! She hadn’t expected to be this pleased, but she was. All their hard work was well worth it. She looked around the room that was slowly getting crowded. “Where is the woman you mentioned?” she asked LaShanda. “Madge, was it?”
    LaShanda peered around, then shook her head. “She’s not here.”
    â€œHow about if I go get her?” Joy asked.
    â€œGood idea.” LaShanda gave her the room number and Joy went off in search of her.
    Joy knocked quietly on the partly open door. “Madge?” she called. “May I come in?”
    A white-haired woman sat slumped in an easy chair next to the window, gazing out with a blank expression.
    Joy pulled a straight-backed chair next to Madge and sat down. “I’m Joy,” she said quietly. “I know we haven’t met, but I suspect we have some things in common.”
    Madge turned to peer curiously at Joy. “Who are you? Do you work here?”
    Joy smiled and shook her head. “I’m just visiting.” Now Joy explained about her Christmas Joy website. “I suppose some people think I’m a bit silly, starting up something like that at my age. But after my George died, well, I just felt so lost . . . I needed something to occupy my time. And since I’d always loved Christmas and had been giving people suggestions for holiday activities and recipes and decorating tips, well, it just made sense to share it in a bigger way. My neighbor Miranda knows all about computers and she helped me set up a website.” Joy laughed. “Oh, listen to me—just rambling away. And I really came here to get to know you. I heard that you would’ve been celebrating seventy years of marriage this week.” Joy reached over and squeezed Madge’s hand. “Congratulations on your anniversary!”
    Madge frowned. “But Ralph’s not here. How can I celebrate?”
    â€œOh,