Some of the toys in the attic had been stored for over 15 years but there had to be something I could use for one-year-old Nick.
I had almost completed Christmas shopping for the Florida children when my mother went into the hospital just up the hill from the house.
We were standing our last vigil for her and there was no time for further shopping. These few minutes were my only chance to wrap presents and mail them off in time to reach the Florida children for Christmas.
Reaching into a cardboard box I pulled out the Jack-in-the-box that sadly was broken years ago and had been pushed aside.
“If only it would work.” I thought to myself. “It would be perfect.”
I turned the little wind-up crank and nothing happened. I almost put the toy down when a quiet voice inside my head said “Try again.”
Once more I turned the tiny red handle and was startled to hear the familiar music of “All around the mulberry bush…” and at the proper time the box popped open and there was a toy smiling to delight a small toddler!
I pushed Jack back down and tried again. He still worked!
My mother taught me to believe in miracles. Lying in a coma in her hospital bed just up the hill I like to think she helped make one for another Christmas.