A<$z$> loud clap of thunder awakened Cassie on Christmas Eve night. The night sky illuminated and sheets of rain cascaded down the windowpanes of ‘Ole Sunset Cottage. Trickles of water even managed to find their way inside the old cedar window frames. Cassie tried tirelessly to go back to sleep but the fury of the storm kept her awake. Cassie rose from her bed and maneuvered herself in the darkness holding on to a walking stick that lay by her bed. The walking stick had belonged to her late husband Edward. She used if for support on occasions just like this one, not out of necessity. Just hours before Cassie had been at the Christingle Service at St. Mary’s Church in Warwick. Cassie enjoyed this service every Christmas Eve because she got to be amongst children, and she always felt that the old and the young learned best when they learned lessons together.

Cassie delighted in seeing the eyes of the children twinkling as they handled “Christingles”. Christingles were made from oranges. They were decorated with red ribbon, sweets and nuts, in which is placed a small candle. The orange represented the world, the ribbon Christ’s blood, and the sweets and nuts the fruits of the earth. The smell of the Christingles was a scent that Cassie always associated with Christmas.

Cassie was 86 years old. She had lived alone for the past 20 years. She still took very good care of herself and her home. Cassie counted her blessings daily. Cassie and Edward had spent 40 happy years together. They had no children, but were never lonely, as they shared with each other many special moments.

On the wall Cassie caught a glimpse of the shadows cast by her slight figure, shadows not of frailty, but of capable aged elegance. She hesitated and smiled before moving on as she viewed her long braided ponytail in the shadows. She reached out for her rocking chair and sat down. She knew that if she rocked back and forth long enough she would eventually fall asleep again, and there was no better place for that, than in her favourite chair. She covered herself with a blanket and placed her feet warmed by socks on the rocking chair stool. The rocking chair was comfortable and well worn and in its seat laid a cushion embroidered with gingerbread figures, dolls, saxophones and wooden boxes. These images represented to Cassie her most memorable Christmas. ‘What a glorious time that had been’, Cassie thought to herself.

In the warmth of the chair Cassie closed her eyes and attempted to retreat back into sleep. Her rocking slowed down. She seemed intoxicated by her memories and by the Christmas scents that filled the air; scents of cloves, allspice and cinnamon. Scents of oranges and lemons still lingered on Cassie’s fingertips from the Christmas pudding that she had been baking earlier that day. Her Christmas pudding was what Cassie called her ‘dish of preparation’. She mixed the raisins, cherries and mixed peel in spirits at the beginning of Advent. The whole process seemed sacred the way Cassie put it together. But the Christmas season to Cassie represented a time for getting ready, a time to prepare for spreading peace, love and joy.

Cassie smiled and sighed as she rocked. As she retreated further into sleep she recalled events from more than 60 years past. The images on the seat cushion that she sat on still reminded her of a very special Christmas.

As Cassie rocked further into deep retreat she recalled that Christmas of 1943. Cassie and Edward listened every morning to the local radio broadcast. On that day the announcer said, “Bermuda has not escaped being affected by the challenges of the war. It is my regret to report that we will not be receiving any foreign cargo into our island port until after Christmas. Cassie and Edward gasped, because they knew what that meant for children. The shops would have few toys and special things. Christmas for many would be very slight. Cassie and Edward knew right away, that they had the power to continue the happy spirit of Christmas in spite of this setback.

Cassie and Edward were both talented. Cassie’s talent lay in sewing. Edward was a talented musician and carpenter. They decided to use their talents to extend the Christmas spirit. With only a mere three weeks to create some kind of magic, Cassie and Edward took on this momentous task. For the next three weeks Cassie and Edward worked tirelessly together to plan an extraordinary celebration for the children on Cedar Hill, where they lived. Nightly, Cassie and Edward had been spending time in Edward’s workshop. They had been crafting special things for the 100 students that attended the school around the corner from their home.

Cassie and Edward lived very close to Purvis Primary School on Cedar Hill. They decided that it was there that they would make their presentation.

It was the day before the school Christmas holidays. The principal of the school, Mrs. Burke told all the children to gather on the field for a special holiday assembly. The children lined up class by class before sitting down. The sky was filled with brilliant sunshine and despite the magnificent day, the children were not the smiling children that usually presented themselves weekly for assembly. Mrs. Burke, the principal made an announcement. “Today we have my cousins Edward and Cassie Burke here with us. Many of you know them as they live in the house just around the corner. They are here with us to hopefully bring you some Christmas cheer”.

Cassie and Edward stood before the children and said, “We know that many of your families have been affected by the delay of goods to Bermuda. It is for that reason that my wife Cassie and I are here. We hope to give you some Christmas joy today. We have three things that we want to share with you”. The children began to sit up straight. They looked on with curiosity. Edward bent down and opened a long narrow black case. In that case was his prized saxophone. Bringing the saxophone to his lips Edward began to play Christmas carols in a way that would warm any soul. The children knew the words to the song he played, and joined in singing ‘Silent Night, Holy Night, All is calm, All is bright—.. ‘

Everyone seemed amazed. Only a few of the children had ever heard the saxophone before. The notes that rang out reached the soul. When Edward finished playing the children clapped loudly. One could tell by the expressions on their faces that Edward had made a difference in their lives that day.

Next, Cassie stood before the children and opened a large bag that had writing on it marked ‘for girls’. Inside the bag Cassie had crafted rag dolls holding a real gingerbread cookie. Every girl in the school was to have one. Embroidered on every dolls apron was the name of a girl. The girls were amazed and stood up one by one anxiously waiting for their names to be called.

The boys waited patiently. Edward opened an enormous bag marked ‘for boys’, and began taking out its contents. Edward had designed special cedar boxes that could hold marbles. Every boy in the school was to have one. Edward wasn’t able to inscribe names as Cassie had done, but he was able to put each boys initials on a box. He had even designed specially sized holes for special marbles. Inside the box the boys found gingerbread cookies too. The boys and girls both were thrilled.

As was custom during an assembly, the head boy or head girl of the school would give a word of thanks to special guests. On that day both the head boy and girl came forward, both with wide smiles. The head girl, Geneva spoke, while holding the hand of the head boy. Geneva spoke in a wavering but polished voice. “Mr. and Mrs. Burke, I will speak on behalf of all the students. You both have given us more than gifts. You have shown us the true meaning of Christmas through your thoughtful deeds. It is our prayer that we learn from this tremendous experience and pass on the joy that you have given us”. The rest of the students began cheering and many rushed up to Cassie and Edward to give them hugs. Later that evening Cassie and Edward agreed that they too, would never forget that day.

Cassie was again awakened and this time by brilliant Christmas morning sunshine. She smiled, because she clearly remembered where her thoughts had drifted. It was hard to believe that more than 60 years had passed since that extraordinary Christmas.