It was a sorrowful time in life. His mother had passed away two months before; Christmas would never seem the same again. In an attempt to uplift his spirits his lover invited him to join her for the holidays in the mountains of Colorado. Under normal circumstances the majestic splendor of the surroundings would plant the seeds of serenity into a troubled soul; but such was not the case that year. While some people needed human comfort in dire times, others must be left alone to contemplate their inner remorse.

The several days prior to Christmas passed with the usual embellishments. Traditionally gifts were exchanged on the night before Christmas; and although the presents were modest ones, they are nonetheless cherished. As if to add dessert to the occasion, freshly fallen snow greeted everyone when they awoke the next morning.

While most of the households’ occupants woke up content to be nested in for the day, he felt uncomfortably restless. It was as if destiny was directing him to venture into the cold and travel homeward. After customary good-byes he departed on his journey, navigating the slick, precipitous roads with caution. Other vehicles hurriedly passed his; a snarl is disapproval on the lips of their drivers.

For an unexplained reason there seemed to be others riding in the car with him that day. He knew who they were, even though no one else or him could see them. His Mom made pleasant conversation in the front seat, while Dad gazed out the window at the scenery passing by. From time to time when other drivers made their admonishments for proceeding so slowly, his father lent encouraging words about his uncommon good sense. Gradually the slopes gave way to the flattened eastern plains, and the road toward home.

With the more treacherous portion of the excursion behind him, he slowly began to relax. He felt as if his mother and father were still with him in their respective seats; but they had become silent in retrospect, as if anticipating a reaction to a present yet unopened. They topped the rise of a long gentle hill and there the gift awaited him. For as far he could see, a pristine blanket of snow lay from horizon to horizon, greeting his eyes with wonder. One small cropping of rocks dared to peer out from underneath its cover, as if it too wanted to gaze at the splendor. A lonely sagebrush tree stood guard, boldly staring defiantly at the sun as if it expected to be relieved from its cold, nightly vigil.