and all through the house,
not a creature was stirring,
not even a mouse.....
well, maybe a mouse, and a dog or two.... and a few cats..... and a dozen alpacas...
Boy, what a racket!!!
Well, here it is 4 am my time and after telling the children they can't get up until at least 7 am, who is sitting here wide awake?? Mom of course! I am always too excited to sleep in Christmas day. I remember when my kids were little I would wake them up because I couldn't wait another minute!
Yesterday we made cookies and went caroling to some people who needed some Christmas cheer. My friend who is celebrating Christmas without her mom for the first time.
Our friend who by should have a baby in her arms this Christmas, but doesn't.....
People who need comfort and cheer this year. The peace that only the child who came can give, but I can give a hug, a shoulder, and some cookies.
I should be tired! I was tired last night! Then.....
I took the advice of my friend Plumpie Mousie, who reminded me that on Christmas Eve animals are given the gift of speech. So I went outside late last night to hear what they had to say.
It went something like this......
Hally- Boo: Boy, it sure is mild tonight, it's been so cold lately!
Osita: Yup, my arthritis sure kicks up when it gets cold like this, getting old really stinks doesn't it?
Hally: Old, what are you talking about? You're only 9 years old, you're a spring cria still.
Osita: Thanks Hally, but have you seen these white hairs lately? And Heathertoes sure is adding her fair share of them this year! That little girl is the bounciest cria I've ever had!
Hally: Yes, my little Rosie Cotton is quite the handful as well.
Angie the llama: Just be grateful you can have more crias! I only got to have one, but I love all of your's year after year like my own.
Osita: Angie, what would we do without you? You are the perfect Nanny Llama Momma!
Arwen: I can't wait for my new cria..... Hay!? What's that in the sky??
Fanny Bryce: It looks like a really bright light, wonder what it is?
Osita: Haven't you ever heard of the Christmas Star? It shines every year to remind alpacas of a special baby born a long time ago. He was quite the 2-legger so my momma told me....
Hally: Did he have an unlimited supply of alfalfa?? (interrupting with a gleam in her eye)
Osita: No, he brought something more precious than alfalfa....
Hally (interrupting again) Did he bring sweet feed and pellets??!!
Osita: (sigh) No Hally, I'm not sure what he brought exactly, but it makes our 2-leggers very happy this time of year remembering His gift. Whatever it was, it was sure something special, I'm sure of it.
Hally: Well, if you can't eat it, it can't be that special....
Osita: (with a knowing look) You'll understand when you get older.
(meanwhile the crias are off talking amongst themselves)
Heathertoes: So, who's the fat guy on the roof?
Rosie Cotton: Dunno, he sure has a cool ride though!
Little Boy: Wow!! What are those things pulling it??
Heathertoes: Those are reindeer (she says with a condescending air) my mom told me about them. She's the smartest momma ever!
Rosie: The fat guy must be important to have all those reindeer pulling him around all night, and did you see them fly in?? Cool beans!!!
Little Boy: Well, I could fly if I really wanted to. But, um, I don't want to right now....
Hay! What's he bringing us? Is that, is it alfalfa?!?!
Heathertoes: Yum Yum!
Santa: Hello there little ones, are you enjoying your Christmas Eve?
Little Boy: What's a Christmas?
Santa: Ho, ho, that's right! This is your first Christmas isn't it? Well, every year on this night, I will come and visit you and grant you one Christmas wish! So what'll it be young man?
Little Boy: Well, if I could sir, I would like my momma back, I sure do miss her....
Santa: Well my precious one, while I can't bring back your momma, I can grant you a look in my magic mirror so you can see her for a few minutes, would you like that?
Little Boy: Oh, yes sir!!
Santa holds his mirror up, and Little Boy sees his beautiful momma pronking and playing in the moonlight in a big green field with hundreds of other crias. She stops, looking out over all the babies, keeping a watchful eye on Little Llama Girl, and Fannie- they always seem to be off getting into trouble. In the distance, Little Boy can see a big, proud llama with a noble head gently herding some crias to the fold for the night.
Little Boy's momma stops and looks directly in the mirror. Little Boy can feel her gaze on him, filled with love, just like when she was here with him. After a moment, she turns and walks away to round up some wayward little ones.
Little Boy cries: Santa! Why did she leave me? How come she can't come back?
Santa replies: Do you remember hearing the story about the Christmas Star? About the little 2-legger born this night who came to save the world? Well, he's all grown up now, and sometimes he needs help with his flock where he lives.
Your momma was called to help, because she is a very good momma. I know you miss her, but she is helping other little crias who have lost their mommas and even their daddys and 2-leggers too. I know it's hard, but I promise you will be with her again someday.
Little Boy: (looks down and thinks about it for a while) Well, I guess it would be pretty sad to lose everything... at least I have my other momma Osita, and my buddy Heathertoes. And my daddy is right over there! Oh, thank you Santa for helping me understand.
If my momma is that special, I am really glad she can help... but I still miss her.
Santa: Then for your gift, I will grant you the opportunity to see her every year when I come visit, how's that?
Little Boy: Cool beans! Thanks Santa!
(meanwhile off in the boys pen)
Eclipse: (scoffs) I could fly better than that Dasher, I tell you!
Sandpiper: Can you just see my long silky locks blowing in the wind? The chicks would SO dig that!
Mithrandir: I would be the coolest flying alpaca ever!
not a creature was stirring,
not even a mouse.....
well, maybe a mouse, and a dog or two.... and a few cats..... and a dozen alpacas...
Boy, what a racket!!!
Well, here it is 4 am my time and after telling the children they can't get up until at least 7 am, who is sitting here wide awake?? Mom of course! I am always too excited to sleep in Christmas day. I remember when my kids were little I would wake them up because I couldn't wait another minute!
Yesterday we made cookies and went caroling to some people who needed some Christmas cheer. My friend who is celebrating Christmas without her mom for the first time.
Our friend who by should have a baby in her arms this Christmas, but doesn't.....
People who need comfort and cheer this year. The peace that only the child who came can give, but I can give a hug, a shoulder, and some cookies.
I should be tired! I was tired last night! Then.....
I took the advice of my friend Plumpie Mousie, who reminded me that on Christmas Eve animals are given the gift of speech. So I went outside late last night to hear what they had to say.
It went something like this......
Hally- Boo: Boy, it sure is mild tonight, it's been so cold lately!
Osita: Yup, my arthritis sure kicks up when it gets cold like this, getting old really stinks doesn't it?
Hally: Old, what are you talking about? You're only 9 years old, you're a spring cria still.
Osita: Thanks Hally, but have you seen these white hairs lately? And Heathertoes sure is adding her fair share of them this year! That little girl is the bounciest cria I've ever had!
Hally: Yes, my little Rosie Cotton is quite the handful as well.
Angie the llama: Just be grateful you can have more crias! I only got to have one, but I love all of your's year after year like my own.
Osita: Angie, what would we do without you? You are the perfect Nanny Llama Momma!
Arwen: I can't wait for my new cria..... Hay!? What's that in the sky??
Fanny Bryce: It looks like a really bright light, wonder what it is?
Osita: Haven't you ever heard of the Christmas Star? It shines every year to remind alpacas of a special baby born a long time ago. He was quite the 2-legger so my momma told me....
Hally: Did he have an unlimited supply of alfalfa?? (interrupting with a gleam in her eye)
Osita: No, he brought something more precious than alfalfa....
Hally (interrupting again) Did he bring sweet feed and pellets??!!
Osita: (sigh) No Hally, I'm not sure what he brought exactly, but it makes our 2-leggers very happy this time of year remembering His gift. Whatever it was, it was sure something special, I'm sure of it.
Hally: Well, if you can't eat it, it can't be that special....
Osita: (with a knowing look) You'll understand when you get older.
(meanwhile the crias are off talking amongst themselves)
Heathertoes: So, who's the fat guy on the roof?
Rosie Cotton: Dunno, he sure has a cool ride though!
Little Boy: Wow!! What are those things pulling it??
Heathertoes: Those are reindeer (she says with a condescending air) my mom told me about them. She's the smartest momma ever!
Rosie: The fat guy must be important to have all those reindeer pulling him around all night, and did you see them fly in?? Cool beans!!!
Little Boy: Well, I could fly if I really wanted to. But, um, I don't want to right now....
Hay! What's he bringing us? Is that, is it alfalfa?!?!
Heathertoes: Yum Yum!
Santa: Hello there little ones, are you enjoying your Christmas Eve?
Little Boy: What's a Christmas?
Santa: Ho, ho, that's right! This is your first Christmas isn't it? Well, every year on this night, I will come and visit you and grant you one Christmas wish! So what'll it be young man?
Little Boy: Well, if I could sir, I would like my momma back, I sure do miss her....
Santa: Well my precious one, while I can't bring back your momma, I can grant you a look in my magic mirror so you can see her for a few minutes, would you like that?
Little Boy: Oh, yes sir!!
Santa holds his mirror up, and Little Boy sees his beautiful momma pronking and playing in the moonlight in a big green field with hundreds of other crias. She stops, looking out over all the babies, keeping a watchful eye on Little Llama Girl, and Fannie- they always seem to be off getting into trouble. In the distance, Little Boy can see a big, proud llama with a noble head gently herding some crias to the fold for the night.
Little Boy's momma stops and looks directly in the mirror. Little Boy can feel her gaze on him, filled with love, just like when she was here with him. After a moment, she turns and walks away to round up some wayward little ones.
Little Boy cries: Santa! Why did she leave me? How come she can't come back?
Santa replies: Do you remember hearing the story about the Christmas Star? About the little 2-legger born this night who came to save the world? Well, he's all grown up now, and sometimes he needs help with his flock where he lives.
Your momma was called to help, because she is a very good momma. I know you miss her, but she is helping other little crias who have lost their mommas and even their daddys and 2-leggers too. I know it's hard, but I promise you will be with her again someday.
Little Boy: (looks down and thinks about it for a while) Well, I guess it would be pretty sad to lose everything... at least I have my other momma Osita, and my buddy Heathertoes. And my daddy is right over there! Oh, thank you Santa for helping me understand.
If my momma is that special, I am really glad she can help... but I still miss her.
Santa: Then for your gift, I will grant you the opportunity to see her every year when I come visit, how's that?
Little Boy: Cool beans! Thanks Santa!
(meanwhile off in the boys pen)
Eclipse: (scoffs) I could fly better than that Dasher, I tell you!
Sandpiper: Can you just see my long silky locks blowing in the wind? The chicks would SO dig that!
Mithrandir: I would be the coolest flying alpaca ever!
Earendil: I think I'm gonna practice some more (leaps away getting some substantial air)
Eclipse: Yeah, but Santa would like me best cuz I'm white and he could see me better, I could lead the sleigh!
little Pippin: Wow, do you think Santa would let us pull his sleigh someday?
Faramir: No way lame brain, it's a reindeer gig.
Mithril: I'm the biggest here (says proud llama boy) so I would get to be in the lead, but I'm happy right here on the ground thank you very much.
(a scuffle breaks out and neck wrestling ensues.... the girls all run over to cheer on their favorite)
Santa: Boys, boys!!! Remember, it's Christmas! Here, how about this, even though you can't pull my sleigh, for your one wish I can grant you this, the power to fly for one night!
(all the boys are suitably impressed!)
And alpacas lift off the ground and take to the air.
Eclipse: This is harder than it looks (waving his front legs in the air while he tries to stay upright)
Mithrandir: I've got it! (as he goes into an uncontrolled somersault)
Faramir: Ha-ha! You look so funny!! (his nose hitting the ground)
Gil and Luxor have flown over the mountain in search of adventure.
Sandpiper: (upside down) This is not dignified at all..... but I bet my lustrous locks still look great, even if they are hanging the wrong way!!
Mithril: (on the ground sniggering to Santa) They never learn do they?
Santa: Machos, will be Machos.... that will never change my dear boy.
Meanwhile my little Osita is making her wish.....
Osita: Dear Santa, this year I would like some carrots for Christmas morning.
And precious 2-legger who was born on this night? If it isn't too much trouble, could you bless those 2-leggers who take care of me that I love so much? Help them to know we all love them, and appreciate all they do for us. Oh, and send them some alfalfa from me, okay?
So there you have it, Christmas Eve on the ranch. So if you looked out your window last night and thought you saw something out of the corner of your eye, it was probably a flying alpaca!
Eclipse: Yeah, but Santa would like me best cuz I'm white and he could see me better, I could lead the sleigh!
little Pippin: Wow, do you think Santa would let us pull his sleigh someday?
Faramir: No way lame brain, it's a reindeer gig.
Mithril: I'm the biggest here (says proud llama boy) so I would get to be in the lead, but I'm happy right here on the ground thank you very much.
(a scuffle breaks out and neck wrestling ensues.... the girls all run over to cheer on their favorite)
Santa: Boys, boys!!! Remember, it's Christmas! Here, how about this, even though you can't pull my sleigh, for your one wish I can grant you this, the power to fly for one night!
(all the boys are suitably impressed!)
And alpacas lift off the ground and take to the air.
Eclipse: This is harder than it looks (waving his front legs in the air while he tries to stay upright)
Mithrandir: I've got it! (as he goes into an uncontrolled somersault)
Faramir: Ha-ha! You look so funny!! (his nose hitting the ground)
Gil and Luxor have flown over the mountain in search of adventure.
Sandpiper: (upside down) This is not dignified at all..... but I bet my lustrous locks still look great, even if they are hanging the wrong way!!
Mithril: (on the ground sniggering to Santa) They never learn do they?
Santa: Machos, will be Machos.... that will never change my dear boy.
Meanwhile my little Osita is making her wish.....
Osita: Dear Santa, this year I would like some carrots for Christmas morning.
And precious 2-legger who was born on this night? If it isn't too much trouble, could you bless those 2-leggers who take care of me that I love so much? Help them to know we all love them, and appreciate all they do for us. Oh, and send them some alfalfa from me, okay?
So there you have it, Christmas Eve on the ranch. So if you looked out your window last night and thought you saw something out of the corner of your eye, it was probably a flying alpaca!
May your Christmas be a very blessed one. May you feel the love of those around you, and pay it forward, double.
I believe in The One who gave all for me, and He did it for you too. The least we can do in return, is love one another.
Love to you all!
Above pictures: Earendil and Lady Galadriel trying out for the Reindeer Games in 2004 Christmas Eve. And Earendil with The Ghost of Alpacas Past. Seriously, this was such a strange thing, air was clear, no fog or clouds, digital camera. We decided the ones we had lost came out to pronk with them this night of nights. As the crias would say... cool beans :))
Slainte~
Rachelle
Slainte~
Rachelle
13 comments:
oh my darling Rachel, it's the most beautiful Christmas story I've ever read...and I'm crying and crying and it's so good to cry...peaceful tears, joy tears...friends don't know frontiers and distances...neither does love, hope,dreams...today only the beautiful side of humanity is in front of my eyes...thank you dear...so much...
for being what you are...
love to all from Peaceful
Rachelle ... Added you to my far away folks file.
Great story, Rachelle. It was a wonderful gift of joy and peace. I hope your celebration of the birth of our Lord provided the same.
Blessings!
This is a great site! An alpaca rancher, geologist creative writer could only lead to great things :) Thanks for commenting on my site - I'm glad I'm not the only one messing around on blogs over my Christmas vacation!!
Rachelle, what a beautiful story, it made me cry about Little Boy losing his mama, you certainly have a way with words. It must be all the love inside of you. You are a wonderful person Rachelle, and I am so proud to know you. Salud, cozmic
Rachelle,
I've sent the Christmas story to some librarian friends, and I've sent the "Ghosts of Crias Past" to the paranormal researchers I work with. :) I'll let you know if they come up with anything on your photo.
Marna
You have an alpaca named Fanny Bryce? Yes, you are funny. Glad I found you.
Okay,
Since as you all know I am so challenged in all things bloggy and I often repeat my comments (through no fault of my own, I'm sure -sniff-) I am going to reply to everyone in one post :))
Mousie my dear,
You are as sweet as peppermint hot chocolate and I love you just as much. Thank you my friend!
Colorado Bob,
Cool beans! I visited your site, pretty funny.... and I'm a Republican. But then I do have a twisted sense of humor (wicked chuckle) so we should get a long just fine.
Quilldancer,
Thank you very much. I hope that we can feel the love all year long.
Sarah,
You are a hoot girl, my hubby and I had a blast on your site last night. Thanks for visiting!
Cozmic,
As always, thank you my friend. It's all for you... well, and for me too, writing is so cathartic!
See you soon!
Marna,
I can't WAIT to hear what they say about the photo! Totally awesome... and you have to spill about what you do for a living! Very cool methinks. Hope your librarian friends like it :))
Thanks so much for visiting, I hope you had a blessed Christmas.
Lianne,
I like your name!
Yes, Fanny Bryce is her name, and my daughter named her after her favorite movie character (duh, but you know that!!) I think it is so great that my 13 year old daughter loves that movie as much as I do!
Hope you will visit again!
Slainte to all, and to all a good night!
Rachelle
What a cute story.....I love those pics too... a real Xmas story...
love to all
Robyne
http://creativewritintravel.blogspot.com
Belated Merry Christmas!
Hey there Rachel
Thanks for the visit...you have just 6 months to get your passport out of mothballs and pack your bag for Scotland!!
Sharpen your pencils, book the alpaca nanny and join us in Scotland....about 10 people
I hope the Alpacas dont get disturbed by the New Year fireworks!! By the way which part of the SoCal Mtns? Tell me so I can be envious...
I wish you A joyous, fulfilling and creative 2007
Robyne
Rachelle, why did you tell the alpacas I was made of peppermint and chocolate they don't stop licking me...and my dog as well...help...I'm disappearing...no, I'm qidding, I'm too big to disappear with a few licks...
so many chocolated kisses and a very very very happy new year to all
Bloavez mad
Mousie
Oh, enough to melt the frost from the coldest of hearts! Happy belated Christmas to you, my flying friend, I'll catch up with you in the clouds, and a catch a dance with you soon..
Beautiful. x
Post a Comment