HAIL MARY! SAMMI JO’s AN ANGEL!
Sammi Jo, at twelve, was Mary Ruth’s bossy, year-older cousin. But they were way more than just cousins, often best friends -- enjoying sleepovers, talking late into the night about school, sports -- everything. With their similar hair and eye color, people sometimes mistook them for sisters.
Of course, relationships with family are never idyllic; the girls had their usual fusses, fights and competitiveness. In the summer, they spent many hours together, honing their softball skills.
But now, winter snow blanketed the countryside, glistening like millions of sparking diamonds. The holidays fast approached and Christmas was the most-special time to Mary. But not just for getting gifts. This was about Jesus, the perfect gift.
Mary absolutely adored Christmas pageants. Joining in their church Christmas play was … the closest thing she could imagine to Heaven. Of all the songs in the hymnbook, the Christmas carols were her favorites. Mary wondered why they only sang them during the Christmas season; seemed like a real waste to shelve them in the book till the next year.
Each December, Mrs. Henshaw would begin plans to present the exciting Christmas story. Each youngster that wished (or was ‘encouraged’ by his or her parents) to participate -- was given a role. Mrs. Henshaw labored for weeks, making sure parts were adequately rehearsed; that each song would waft beautifully through the church auditorium. The effect always charmed the adults, particularly proud parents. The choir sang the songs, but roles would be assigned to the kids – shepherds, angels, three wise men, naturally Mary and Joseph. With a tiny babydoll in a manger.
Known as a quick study and adept at memorizing, Mary often received a speaking part. In years past she recited text from the book of Luke, announcing the birth of the Christ Child. This year Mary and Sammi Jo, along with two other girls, were thrilled to be selected as angels. Mrs. Henshaw sewed white robes for each and created sparking wire ‘halos’ and ‘wings,’ which she covered with cellophane. Fragile accessories -- so Mary practiced her most careful entrance and exit. Every time she tried on her costume, she felt absolutely … ethereal; scarcely tied to earth.
At the various practices, initially a bit of stumbling through “parts” occurred. Especially with the usually-bored boys. But Mrs. Henshaw was confident each piece would come together as planned. Even if a few mistakes occurred, she knew they would endear the performance to the audience – mostly family and parents.
A self-imposed perfectionist, Mary practiced continually – singing so much around the house, she drove her siblings crazy. But she wanted the high-pitched soprano parts to be outstanding. If some of the other girls faltered, Mary wanted to ensure her voice would ring out – continuing the cadence of the beautiful music. Mary excitedly chattered away at Sammi Jo at every opportunity. Sammi, however, was not as thrilled as her cousin. Yes, she wanted to do her part well, (so her parents wouldn’t be upset at her lackadaisical study), but that was as much importance as she placed on it. Mary’s eager-beaver frenzy frustrated Sammi; she thought her younger cousin a little -- fanatical. But Mary put up with her nonsense, so Sammi Jo cut her a bit of slack occasionally. Still, that crazy Mary Ruth could be such a pest …
∞
The evening of the performance seemed magical. The children excitedly awaited in the wings behind the church’s pulpit-area stage curtains, nervous about seeing their parents in the audience.
Before they were to walk up the stairs of the stage, Mary glanced down at her hands. Oh no! They were filthy! About to cry, she guessed she must have gotten oily smudges off the car door when she exited; she knew she’d washed her hands earlier. She motioned to Sammi Jo, who, seeing Mary’s hands, grunted condescendingly: “Wipe them on your tunic! It’s time to go out!” Mary pulled up her white gown and tried to remove the grime with the underside, so she wouldn’t spoil the pristine appearance of her robe.
Waiting what seemed an eternity for little Danny Holstem to get through his arduous rambling of the bible verse, Mary wished she could perform barefoot on stage. You never saw an angel with shoes in the pictures, right? She was still apprehensive about her fragile costume and would feel more sure-footed, minus the slick heels on the bottom of her shoes. But her Mother had insisted she keep them on – ‘It’s the middle of winter!’ Mama knew the old auditorium could be drafty. Mary sighed.
All of a sudden, the girls had their cue from Mrs. Henshaw – “Up, up quickly on stage, my angels!” The girls crept up the three steps, robes drawn up, one at a time. Uh oh! Mary caught the hem of her white gown under a toe as she stepped up, pitching forward. Unfortunately, what managed to stop her was one of Sammi Jo’s wings! Her hand ripped through the cellophane, leaving Sammi Jo’s left ‘wing’ a bit lopsided. “Now you’ve done it, stupid!” If it wasn’t the instant they were to appear on stage, Mary knew she would be engaged in a fist fight with her rowdy tomboy cousin. Whew! She had a reprieve – at least until the end of the program, when she might have heck to pay. She prayed the audience wouldn’t notice the assaulted wing.
The rest of the pageant went well. When the young cherubim filled the auditorium with melodious song, Mary’s voice rang out, pure and clear. The magic returned and she was momentarily transported to the heavens.
Toward the end of the pageant, Mary looked down at her feet. Staring at her bright red shoes, her cousin also noticed them peeking out from her white robe. The other ‘angels’ had chosen to wear white shoes which blended well, but made Mary’s scuffed, but red shoes seem even more out of sync.
For some reason, Sammi Jo thought her usual up-tight, gotta-be-perfect cousin’s oversight hilarious. Sammi whispered: “Hey stupid; are those the only shoes you had to wear tonight?”
Mary, relieved that her cousin wasn’t mad at her, giggled, which started Sammi and several of the other kids giggling. Now she knew she wouldn’t have to face her cousin’s wrath. But looking into the audience she could see someone else was NOT amused: Mama!
