Twelve Days of Christmas Part Six by Terri Reed

My darling Daniel,
I awoke this morning to the honk of the Canada Geese. I looked out the bedroom window to see the distinctive V formation of the birds migrating. Such a cold, bleak sky. The birds are leaving late this year. I suspect because everyone feeds them. Snow has already fallen, covering the ground in a blanket of white. I wonder if the geese I saw this morning were the same six geese we saw laying in their nest by the lake shore last spring. Do you member how beautiful and majestic they looked with their long black necks and white cheeks? And the babies! Oh, how cute they were. Just like I know our little Seth will be. He’ll look just like you, darling. I imagine him with your smiling blue eyes and strong jaw. I wonder if he’ll have your walnut brown hair or if we’ll have a red head like me. I’m sure anxious to meet this little guy. Every night I read to him before going to sleep. Last night we read from the Psalms. God’s word brings me comfort. I cling to His promises as I wait for the day you’ll return to me and our son. Oh my, Seth, just kicked. I think we have a soccer player in the making. Must be time for breakfast. Since the doctor wants me to gain a little more weight, I think I’ll make your favorite pancakes. I hope I can get the ingredients right. You always make them so perfectly. I hope you’re eating well there. I worry even though I know I shouldn’t. God’s watching over you. Hard to believe it will be Christmas eve in two days. I’ll be having dinner with your parents. I’m hoping you’ll call like you did for Thanksgiving. I so need to hear your voice. Please take care and know that you are loved and missed.
Forever yours,
Joy

Twelve Days of Christmas--Part Four by Missy Tippens

Dear Daniel,

I have a confession. I'm feeling blue today--disappointed. I've been thinking so much about our first twelve days together that today, when I heard a bird calling, I thought maybe, just maybe, you'd come home to surprise me and were making bird calls outside the window.

I know, silly of me. And actually, I have to admit it ended up being a good day. Since the Mayor declared the village Christmas theme in your honor, everyone in town has been so sweet. Today, the Lipscomb family surprised me by bringing lunch. And yes, they had remembered the story of our fourth date and were outside making the bird calls. We ate together and talked about you all afternoon. Were your ears burning?

Do you remember how you embarrassed me on that date by blowing that silly bird whistle each time the audience applauded at the concert? Then as soon as people would start looking around to see where the noise was coming from, you'd hide the whistle? I know people thought I had done it because my face had to have been beet red. You were so funny and made me laugh again.

Oh, I miss your humor so much. I miss the silly things you always do. And yes, I even miss those embarrassing moments, because I know you were stepping outside your comfort zone, trying to win me over.

You had won me over for sure by that night. And even though I was already falling in love with you, I couldn't resist teasing you, telling you that birds--such as partridges and French hens and turtle doves and calling birds-- were not the way to a woman's heart. That jewelry would be much more effective. And you looked into my eyes, so serious, took hold of my hand, and told me you couldn't possibly consider such an intimate gift until the fifth date. I don't think I've ever told you how your touch made my heart stutter. Daniel, dear, you'll always take my breath away. Even when we're old and gray and Seth is grown with his own children, you'll be the one who makes my heart beat faster.

Oh, Daniel, I'm so proud of you, but please stay safe. I can't wait until we can be together again. I know it's going to be difficult to deliver Seth while you're so far away. But I pray for the moment I can see you with our baby in your arms.

All my love,
Joy

The Twelve Days of Christmas--
Part One--Lenora Worth

Dear Daniel,

I can't believe it's almost Christmas. Just twelve days before the big day. And we should have our own new arrival any day now. I can't wait for little Seth to be born so I can tell him all about his wonderful daddy. This is already a special time where we celebrate the birth of Christ. But to you and me, darling, this is also the time when we fell in love. Remember the first day we met in the park. I was watching the ice skaters swirling around on the lake and I turned to leave. There you stood grinning at me, your smile as bright as the twinkling lights on all the trees around the park. You actually started singing about the twelve days of Christmas. (A bit off-key, of course.) You were so adorable with your dark blue eyes and spiky brown hair. And your red ears. It was so cold that day. Everyone in the park started giggling at the way you sang about a partridge in a pear tree. Then you asked me if I wanted to see a real partridge in a pear tree. I giggled, too, but before I could shake my head and say "No, thanks", you grabbed me by the hand and practically dragged me onto the walking trail around the park. And you found a tree--not a real pear tree, but a big lovely untouched Christmas tree. And there in that tree was a fake bird!!! It took me years to get the truth out of you. I was so touched that you'd been watching me come to the park every day... and that you'd seen my tears. You told me you had decided to make me fall in love with you by Christmas and the idea of the twelve days of Christmas theme popped into your head. It also took me years to tell you that I came to the park every day because I had a broken heart. Christmas was never a joyous time for me until you came along, my love. I want you to know that our "partridge" is sitting on the Christmas tree and I'm wearing the beautiful "pear" diamond necklace you gave me for our second Christmas together and our anniversary--Christmas Eve. Daniel, please stay safe over there. I am so proud of you for fighting for our country. The whole village is proud of you. I wanted you to know that the mayor declared our Christmas theme for this season as "The Twelve Days of Christmas" in your honor. Each day, we will celebrate all the gifts you managed to give me five years ago when you "forced" me to fall in love with you. Your twelve days were a bit eclectic and interesting, but I still smile when I think about your efforts. I am so blessed to have you as my husband. And our son will be blessed to have you as his father. I wish you could be here for his arrival but I know you are working toward the greater good for our country. I love you, Daniel. Stay safe and ... even if you can't be home for Christmas, come home soon, please.

Your loving wife, Joy