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A Special Morning

If you did not know where Peggy and Carl Garland lived you would probably never be able to find there house. For they lived off the highway, off the dirt road that passed the owners houses of the land, then down a small dirt road that passed between the stubble of last years cotton crop and still down a smaller dirt road to there little green shotgun house setting just to the side of one of the fields. There was three large oak but now barren trees in the front yard and the house painted green had a small front porch and at the back Carl had fixed a larger porch that was screened in and from there you could walk out to the outdoor toilet next to a large cottonwood tree, although Carl had built and installed a modern bathroom in the house but kept the outhouse for sentimental reasons. Peggy and Carl in there early thirties had been together for 2 years before marrying 3 years ago. The house inside was comfortable and warm from all the work that Carl had done on the house and was nicely furnished from the selections of furniture that Peggy had seen and bought.
Carl worked for Thomas Payne who owned 2000 acres of cotton land and Carl drove tractors, combines and being an excellent welder and all around mechanic was well thought of by Thomas Payne. He had repeatedly offered Carl and Peggy one of the larger houses his workers lived in but the two loving the serenity of where they lived declined his offer each time. The two had just returned from town as Peggy was heavy with child and the examination and the Doctor saying; “Peggy the baby will be a fine healthy boy and you should deliver in about two weeks”. Going into the house and while Carl stoked up the fire place, Peggy warmed up the coffee left from breakfast and the two set at the kitchen table and; “Carl, the baby is a boy but I know you wanted a girl is that all right with you?” “Darling, as long as the baby is healthy and you are ok then I could not be anymore happier”. The time frame was one week before Christmas.
The two had gone to high school together and even dated during there senior year, but on graduating, Carl had gone into the Army and stayed in for 6 years and the work he did in the Army was mechanical, welding and anything pertaining to heavy equipment.. Peggy after a couple of years at home went to secretarial school and graduated and then went to work for Landers Realty Company. Peggy’s parents owned the only drug store in the small town of Keo, Arkansas and all during that time she lived at home with Mr. and Mrs. Rebecca and J.R. Dudley, her parents. Carl’s parents were Mr. and Mrs. Don and Julia Garland and Don had been President of the Bank in England but had retired and the two had moved to Arizona three years ago. Carl on mustering out of the Army had visited his parents but then came back to his roots and to Keo. It wasn’t long before hiring on with Thomas Payne and now the story begins.
For that first year after Carl came home and on the Fourth Of July picnic that was held in England, Arkansas each year the two had ran into each other and the flame was rekindled and Peggy had quit her job and moved in with Carl in the little green shotgun house on the Payne farm that set off a smaller dirt road next to a cotton field.

A Special Morning 11

Now five years later and expecting there first child they could not have been happier. Carl; “Guess with the baby being born two weeks from now he will be here just after the new year starts”. Peggy; “Guess the first year he will miss Christmas too”. Carl; “Darling, do you really like the name Bradley?” “Yes, I think it will be a fine name for our son”.
Even though it was only one week before Christmas there was much work to be done on the Payne farm and each morning Carl would drive his pickup to the two large shops at the back of the main house to continue working on all the equipment that had to be in tip top shape come the spring. For the tractors, combines, large hydraulic discs, the planters, plows and all the other assorted equipment would be inspected and any needed repairs would be performed before planting time. Carl was working on one of the three cotton combines to build and install a new stair to be able to climb up in the cab as it had been torn off and was un-useable. Bolting the stairs back to the combine and Thomas Payne enters and approaches Carl; “Carl, when you finish that job I would like for you to go over my old John Deere and make sure it will be ready for bailing hay this year”. “Sure Tom, no problem”. Carl knew that the tractor Payne was referring to was the very first one he had ever owned and he took a personal interest in its condition. For it was a 1952 Model A John Deere with a tricycle front end. No electric starts but the old side winder wheel to make the two cylinders start there pop a pop sound when started. Just a relic from long ago times.
Still a strong tractor but no match for the huge four wheel drive, air condition cabs of the new John Deere’s used for the cotton fields. But Payne always used it when bailing hay during the summer months as he usually kept 20 or 25 head of cows. The days passed swiftly and then it was Christmas Eve. But to finish a job he had started he told Peggy that I should be through by lunch and return home. Driving to the shop that Christmas Eve. Morning and it had started snowing. Carl thinking; “Great to have a snowy Christmas”. Reaching the shop and starting working on the hydraulics’ of one of the big discs it was just after one o’clock when Carl finished. Cleaning up and then remembering that he had not gotten Peggy a Christmas gift decided to go into England to purchase a gift for her and there unborn son, Bradley.
But to his surprise on going outside was the amount of snow that had fallen and was still coming down in large fluffy flakes. “Gosh, it has to be over 6 inches deep already, better just drive into Keo instead of England to pick out the gifts”. It was about a 6 mile drive into Keo and Carl made it with no problems. But then found out that the big mercantile store and the other few stores in Keo were also closed. “Hmm, now what as don’t see driving all the way to England and the stores there also closed”. “Better just go by Dudley’s drugstore and see what they have as I know Peggy’s parents are home in this weather”. Snowing even harder than before Carl drives down to the drug store and it is also closed but he rings the bell at the front door and soon Mr. Dudley is peering through the window and then opens the door. “Gracious, Carl what are you doing out in this weather?” “I’ve been so busy at the shop I plum forgot to buy Peggy a Christmas gift and now all the stores are closed”. Mrs. Dudley by then has came into the store from the back and says; “We don’t have much but let’s see what we can find for presents”. “How is Peggy doing?” “Why she’s just fine and is expecting just after New Years and we know it will be a boy we will name Bradley”. Mrs. Dudley; “I’m so excited about our first grand child and you take care of Peggy, Carl”. “Yes-Mam” They finally decide on a bottle of perfume and a lovely white lace shawl for Peggy and Mr. Dudley comes out with a musical merry go round to hang over the babies bed. Knowing he had made a mistake in not buying sooner but happy to have what he did Carl says his goodbyes and gets into the truck to drive home. But then remembering he had not bought a Christmas tree either turns around and drives to Bankston’s mercantile store that usually had a large selection of trees for sale. Maybe there are some still beside the store that weren’t sold. But pulling beside the lot where the trees were sold he saw only one left but getting out and walking to the tree it was a small tree with skimpy limbs and a couple of limbs were broken but Carl picked it up and carried it to the truck and again started home.

A Special Morning 111

Just outside of Keo there is a bridge that crosses Bayou Meto creek and as Carl approached it a large farm truck was crossing the bridge and loses control but makes it across but then slides sideways and slams into Carl and the two trucks slide into a ditch beside the road. Carl unhurt but dazed climbs out of the truck and goes around to the cab of the larger truck and opens the door. Carl sees the driver is Billy Johnson who works for the Peterson farm next to Payne’s farm. “Billy, you ok?” “Yea just bumped my head a little, sorry Carl, just lost control” Carl; “Just glad neither of us were hurt, where were you going?” “You know my parents live in Keo and was trying to make it home to be with them for Christmas”. “Well no way to get these trucks back up on the road this evening do you think you can walk to your parents?” “Yea, can do, sorry again, Carl hope you have a Merry Christmas even though I smashed your truck”.
Carl gets the presents out of the cab and then the little tree that had been thrown clear and lay on the bank across the ditch. Giving a quick look at the front of the pickup and then just shrugging his shoulders starts to walk home on a Snowy Christmas Eve. With the presents under one arm and the little tree across his shoulder and glancing at his watch sees it is after four in the afternoon with almost five miles to walk to reach home.
The snow had reached a depth of about 8 inches but Carl marveled at the beauty in the fading daylight of the country side walking down a dirt road to reach a smaller dirt road to the little green shotgun house beside a cotton field.
Thinking as he walked; “Peggy had invited her parents to Christmas dinner but now that was out of the question but she had laid out the turkey and already fixed the corn bread dressing and all the fixings for them to have a really nice dinner together”. “I’ll need to get this poor little tree trimmed and the lights put on after I get home and make sure we have enough wood inside to keep the stove running hot”. “Wow, it’s even snowing harder now than before but I only have a couple of miles to go”. “Will have to see about my truck day after tomorrow but the front took a heavy blow and will probably have to be towed to the shop to be repaired”. “I know one thing I’ll not wait next year or be so forgettable and not have the tree and all the presents up before Christmas Eve”. “Sure will be great to have Bradley for next Christmas though”.
Then just up ahead Carl could see a dim light through the falling snow that meant he was close to home and his step quickened to get inside where it was warm and Peggy waiting. As he opened the door, Peggy was standing by the stove and says; “Carl, why are you walking what has happened I was worried?” Carl sets down by the door and removes his boots that were wet and packed with snow and then his coat while explaining; “Billy Johnson lost control of his truck and smacked into me but neither of us were hurt so I just had to walk home, sorry if I worried you”. “Just glad your home”. “What is that poor little tree for? said Peggy laughing. “It was the only one left but I’ll trim it up and it will be beautiful for our Christmas day”. Peggy holding her side says; “I’ll help you”. Carl; “Darling you ok?” “Oh just a little pain now and then, think Bradley is just shifting positions and kicking a little”. The lights flicker for a moment and Carl; “Better draw up a bunch of water and keep in the bath room for with all the heavy snow the lines will probably break and then I’ll get the Coleman lanterns and fill them just in case”. “Ok, I’ll warm up our supper while you are doing that”. While eating the lights did go out and Carl lights one of the lanterns and the two continue eating. Then after eating the two get the trimmings and lights out for the little tree and both munching on apples from a fruit basket Peggy’s parents had brought by earlier in the week, they trim and place the lights on the little Christmas tree together.
Then standing back and looking at the tree all decorated and now a pretty little Christmas tree and the bulbs of the lights glistening from the glow of the Coleman lantern they admired there work. The two set down on the couch by the stove and having had power failures before at the little green shotgun house that set off the dirt road and down a smaller dirt road next to a cotton field they listened to Christmas music on a battery powered radio as the snow continued to fall outside both cozy and warm holding hands while they listened to the beautiful music on a Christmas Evening. Then around ten o’clock that night Peggy says; “Darling, I’m going to lay down now”. “Ok, I’ll bring in more firewood first and be right there”. Carl puts his coat on and a pair of rubber boots that were in the closet in the kitchen and goes out to gather the wood and bring in. The snow is still coming down but slower now with broken clouds and Carl having taken a ruler outside with him measures it and sees it is now 12 inches deep. “Most snow I have ever seen around here but it sure is beautiful” for the full moon glowing through broken clouds just made the white covered land look like a picture that should be framed and hanging from a wall. Then stacking the wood Carl goes in and put a couple more logs in the stove and undresses to lie down with Peggy and to sleep.

A Special Morning 1V

Then just after mid-night Carl feels Peggy moving and turning over says; “Honey, you ok?” Peggy; “My water just broke and Bradley is on the way now”. “What, what he was not supposed to be here for another week or so”. Peggy managing a slight smile; “Well Darling, you tell him that when he is born for he is coming now”, and is racked with a sudden pain. Carl; “I don’t know nothing about helping with a baby being born, what do I need to do?” “Go heat some water for now and bring clean towels and set with me”. “Oh me, I’ll be right back just hold on”. “Not going anywhere right now, silly”. Coming back into the bedroom and; “Water is heating and here are the towels, now what?” “Place a pillow under my back and take the covers off for now”. “Good now hold my hands”. It would be a long night for Carl as he set with his wife watching as the pain became more frequent and Peggy not wanting to have Carl worry more tried to hold back from crying out. Once she told him; “Go check the water and keep it full”. Carl checked the water which was on there butane stove and refilled what had boiled away and turned the fire down and put more firewood in the stove. Peggy would labor for three more hours but doing what the Doctor had told her and the books she had read would take the deep breathes and try to push downward to help Bradley along. Then around 4:30 that morning Bradley was born and Carl although nervous was able to cut the umbilical cord and then clean the baby with the soft clean towels and warm water for Bradley had came out with a healthy set of lungs. Peggy watching and when he had finished cleaning Bradley holds out her hands to take him in her arms and manages a wide smile as he quit crying and snuggled against his Mom. Carl now sets on the side of the bed and he and Peggy say a short prayer out loud together for there newborn son.
Peggy around 5:30 says; “Carl put Bradley in the middle of the bed and help me to the bathroom and bring a clean gown as I want to freshen up”. With Peggy in the bathroom, Carl picks up Bradley and marvels at there newborn son until Peggy slowly comes out and says; “Honey, help me into the living room and the couch as I want to enjoy our first Christmas Morning with our son and my husband setting up and watch you open my gifts to you”. Carl; “Dang, what did I do with Peggy’s gifts when I came home”, and then remembering he had set them beside the door when he was taking off his wet boots. After helping Peggy and Bradley to the couch Carl noticed the two gifts under the little tree; “How did these get here?” Peggy; “I put them there while you were out getting firewood, hope you like?” Carl getting the two packages and setting in front of the couch opens the smaller package first and inside was a pair of boots he always wanted but would never buy and the second gift was a 30-06 Browning automatic rifle complete with scope. “I’m speechless, Darling, how why where did you get these, there something I’ve always wanted”. “My Dad picked them out for me as he knew you liked to deer hunt and only had a 12 gauge shotgun to use”. Carl; “I’ don’t think my gifts to you will hold a candle as I forgot until yesterday evening and guess why our truck is wrecked now”. “Carl, just being with you and now Bradley is all I’ve ever wanted”. Carl lays the rifle down and goes to the door and brings his gifts to Peggy and waits. Mrs. Dudley had wrapped them at the store but the wrapping was wet from the walk in the snow. Peggy opens the first one and the white linen shawl comes out and she puts it around her shoulders and then opens the second gift and the perfume which was called Le-Perfume but Peggy just sprays a little on each wrist and smells and says; “This perfume was what I always used when I lived at home it is perfect Carl, thank you so much”. Carl then hands Peggy, Bradley’s gift and she hurriedly opens it to see the merry-go-round with Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse, Minnie and Pluto that will hang from the sides as it plays music. “Oh Carl, this is the gift of all gifts for you have remembered our child and didn’t even know he would be born this day”. She winds it up and they listen to the music that played and Bradley sleeping just lets out a big yawn.
Carl; “Darling, I’m so happy being with you and now Bradley on this Christmas Morning” “Me too Carl”. Carl; “I’ll go fix us a good ole country breakfast now, you just wait”. “Don’t think we are going anywhere right now”. Then while Carl is fixing there breakfast, Thomas Payne pulls up in one of his big four wheel drive trucks and knocks on the door. Carl goes to the door and Tom; “You folks alright was worried about you two with all this snow?’ “You bet, Tom, come in and have breakfast with us” “Would love to but have folks at the house but looky who I brought with me”. Mr. and Mrs. Dudley then step out of the truck and come up on the porch. Carl; “Boy have I got something to show you two and you also Tom just come in for a minute”. Tom admires Bradley and then takes his leave but says; “Saw your truck on the side of the road and I’ll have it picked up and towed in as Mr. Peterson called me and said he will pay for all the damages”. “Thanks Tom”. So ends the story of the Garlands that lived off the main highway down a dirt road that passed the owners houses of the land, down another dirt road that passed the stubble of last years cotton crop and then down a smaller dirt road to a little green shotgun house setting just to the side of one of the fields.
Now this is to remind us that over 2000 years ago a babe wrapped in swaddling clothing and laid in a manager in a place called Bethlehem is the reason for the Special Morning we call Christmas and why we observe that day. It’s not the hoopla that is displayed in the malls or small shops just after Thanksgiving Day but the birth of Jesus.
Enjoy your Christmas season but remember why we celebrate it.
Merry Christmas from the Chuck Smith family, and Happy New Year…..From the Philippines and the United States.

I agree with Gina What a beautiful Christmas Story, So many have forgotten
what the true meaning of Christmas is all about. Best wishes to you and yours for the New Year

For those of you who remember my brother (Bobby Tipton) he passed away 05/10/2009.
He retired from Lucent in 1984.