Ho Ho Ho! This week Pegman takes us to the town of North Pole, Alaska in the USA.
Though it appears Santa’s workshop is near, you’re not obligated to write a Christmas-themed story or poem. The spirit of Pegman is to write 150 words inspired by your own tour of the location. Wander around and chose your own screenshot, if you like.
Once you’ve created your story, add it to the InLinkz using the button below. Sharing, reading, and commenting on other stories is part of the fun.
Many thanks and Merry Christmas to Karen and Josh who facilitate this challenge.
This week I took a five-year-old Friday Fictioneers story out of mothballs, expanded it and made a few changes. Those 50 extra words can be a delightful game changer. 😀
Genre: Holiday Spirit
Word Count: 150
Dedicated to my friend, John Schuech. If Santa Claus does exist, it’s in this man’s huge heart. ❤
PRELUDE TO SUCCESS
“Failure.”
Isn’t that what Tiana said when she’d flung her clothes into a suitcase? “I can’t take any more. Call me if you ever get your act together.”
Since he’d come back from Iraq, Emmet had been plagued with nightmares and had made four suicide attempts. He’d lost three jobs this year alone.
“Try it,” said his buddy John. “It’ll do wonders for you.”
Combing his prematurely white hair, he glared at his weary bearded reflection. He couldn’t blow this gig.
***
His footsteps echoed down the sterile hallway. How long had he spent in this place being stitched back together?
Stopping at room 223, he pushed open the door and tiptoed to the bed. Feeding tubes and IV’s snaked around the slumbering child.
He caressed her bald head and forced a cheerful, “Ho! Ho! Ho!”
Her brown eyes fluttered open and shone with innocent faith.
“Santa, I knew you’d come!”
*
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Oh wow. So much woven into this story. Left my heart with a palpable ache (the good kind!)
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Dear Karen,
I’ll always accept “wow” as a comment. 😉 Mission accomplished. Thank you and Happy Christmas to you and yours.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This is really sweet and inspiring. I think you show the true meaning of Christmas here. Well done.
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Dear Josh,
Amid holly trim and shiny baubles we certainly have forgotten what it’s all about, Charlie Brown. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Love the story line. You can read the background in your mind without the words being written. Great job. P.S., John is a wonderful Santa and has made a career of it.
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Dear Jan,
I think John believes he’s the real deal. I think so, too. 😉 Thank you for your thoughtful comments, m’luv.
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Yum! I love this story. It sounds as he AND the child are being saved. Nicely done.
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Dear Lish,
So many things to read into this one. I myself see this as a new beginning for Emmet. Perhaps he’ll even woo Tiana back. 😉 Of course we all hope the child’s cancer will go into remission. Glad you liked it. Thank you and Merry Christmas!
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A brief redemption as Santa Claus.
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Dear James,
My thought, if I had more than 150 words, is that this is Emmet’s new beginning. D Thank you and Merry Christmas.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh gosh, I need to find the kleenex box. This one has me sniffling and smiling all at once. That’s just beautiful. I love it Rochelle!
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Dear Eric,
Your comment is an early Christmas gift to me. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
I don’t understand… I seem to have a tightness in my chest and throat. What a beautiful story. More than one person was saved…
Happy Christmas now that Chanukah is over… 😉
Lotsa love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
I was happy to update this one. 😀 Perhaps you should get that tightness checked out.;) Thank you…onward with the tree and presents.
Merry Christmas back atcha.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ha ha Ha! I think it’s an emotional defect I have…
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Everyone should have that defect 😉
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At least a little bit… 😁
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lovely Christmas story x
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Thank you, Liz. 😀
Happy Christmas,
Rochelle
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This is a beautiful story, Rochelle. What a lovely man. The real Santa couldn’t do better. He’s a blessing. Season’s Greetings to you and yours. 🙂— Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
And in reaching out to others we help ourselves. 😉 Thank you and a Merry Christmas.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Good story- a lot implied berween the lines – world weariness and a glimpse of the human wish to be positive. Nice one
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Dear Francine,
I believe there’s still hope for humanity. Thank you and Merry Christmas.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle
That’s one of your very best stories. I was very moved by it.
Shalom
Penny
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Many thanks for such a lovely comment, Penny 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A lovely heartwarming tale. Santa for the kids and therapy for him.
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Dear Ali,
That’s exactly right 😀 Thank you and Merry Christmas to you and Bruce Willis.
Shalom
Rochelle
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What a moving tale with so many elements woven into it. Although I’m normally not a fan of Santa Claus (the association with greed and consumerism), this particular Santa made my heart melt.
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Dear Magarisa,
I’ve been one of the biggest Santa cynics myself. But if you knew my friend John, the Santa for all Seasons, he might change your mind, too. 😉 For him it’s not bout the commercialism. Thank you for such a sweet comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A lovely hopeful and uplifting tale for this time of year. 🙂
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Many thanks, Sarah Ann. I hope your holiday was uplifting. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A beautiful story Rochelle. I think they are both going to have some healing. Cheers Irene
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Thank you, Irene. I think these two will be instrumental in each other’s healing. 😉
Shalom and Happy New Year,
Rochelle
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