Driving through the snow-covered streets of Hollybrooke, mental images of the past
came rushing in for Clara Parker. like the gentle snowfall outside. Gentle hills
wrapped in white, the quaint cottages resembling ornaments on a Christmas treeā
they all told stories of laughter and joy from her childhood. But today, they only
deepened the weight on her heart. After her recent divorce, Clara had returned to
the only place that had ever felt like home, yet it felt. strange and foreign now. The
shadow of heartbreak hung heavy over her, menacing her. to choke the joy out of
the holiday season. Looking over her shoulder in the rearview mirror, she saw her.
Mind, amazement on daughter, Lily, in back, face against the window, pupils dilated
in wonder) "The room echoed with a sound like a trumpet. wonder at the wintery
wonderland.
"Look, Mommy! They have the biggest tree! Lily squealed, breaking through Clara's
melancholic. thoughts. Clara smiled faintly. Yes, they do, honey," she managed to
repeat in a similar affected tone. Inside, however, a tempest raged. How could she
find joy in the season knowing the family structure she. had once cherished was
shattered?
They finally got to her childhood house, a cosy, two-storey cottage with a red front
door and so on. classic white trim. The mere picture of it evoked a rush of, nostalgic
feeling, together with a sorrow feeling. While she thought about more joyful
Christmases spent with her family, her parents decorating the tree and. filling the air
with laughter and love.
"Mommy, can we go in? Lily asked, breaking Clara&s reverie.
"Yes! Of course," Clara replied, forcing her feet to move. As they stepped inside, the
warmth enveloped them, a reassuring hug in a world turned upside down.
Mark, her brother, greeted them with open arms. He was a comforting presence, a
steadfast rock amidst her swirling emotions. "Welcome home, Clara! he exclaimed,
joy reflecting on his face. Clara's heart ached. This homecoming was supposed to be
joyful, but her heart was weighed down by. guilt and sadness. Despite Mark's
enthusiastic greetings, she felt like a ghost in her own life,.
And observing from afar as others escaped her. Following a rather lingered hug,
Mark crouched on the ground to meet Lily's eye level. "Hey, kiddo! You ready for
some fun?" He had always had a knack for bringing joy to others, especially Lily, who
glowed under her uncle's. attention.
"Yeah! Can we make cookies? Lily bounced on her toes, her excitement contagious.
"Absolutely! Let's fix the kitchen, Mark said, holding her hand as they dashed for the.
kitchen. Clara lingered for a moment, watching them. She got a feeling of great love
but also a overwhelming . weight of despair. How could she provide the same joy she
experienced as a child when she felt so. shattered?
While Mark and Lily baked, Clara found herself gravitating towards the holiday
decorations tucked. away in a corner. She slowily started the process of unboxing the
ornaments, her fingers running through the. familiar shapes. Each ornament became
a vessel of memoriesāthe hand-painted ones from her. Childhoods, the ones her
parents had accumulated over a lifetime, and some melancholy ones in the
meantime. reminded her of what she had lost.
"Want to help, Mommy? Lily called, flour smeared across her cheeks.
"Of course!" Clara answered, moving toward her daughter. She took a deep breath,
reminding herself that each little action mattered. It was a moment to get in the
holiday mood, if only for Lily's. sake.
As they transformed the house into a festive space, Clara found herself smiling
alongside her. Daughter, with joyful laughter erupting as powdery rose. They hung
garlands, placed ornaments On a tree, and Lily insisted on putting the star at the top,
her small fingers stretching up as far as. possible.
"This is fun! Clara exclaimed, surprised at the joy threading through her heart.
"You're doing a great job, Lily!"
"Just like how you used to do it, right? Lily said, her eyes sparkling.
"Yes, just like that," Clara said, her throat constricting. She fought the tears,
remembering how her mother used to guide her hands as they decorated together.
Despite the laughter foam surrounding her, an ache settled in the hollow of her
heart. The joyful chaos of decorating couldn't erase the haunting memories of her
marriage's collapse. But as she watched Mark and Lily got earnest at battering and
molding, so Clara had no choice but to come in on dares. For Lily. For herself.
After a long day filled with laughter and a hint of sadness, they sat together on the
couch, the tree. illuminated with twinkling lights. Clara watched her daughter, and
her heart overflowed with love. This Christmas would obviously be other, even if it
wasn't as magical as she'd dreamt.