Chapter Four
A forgotten plate
Christmas was only a few days away and there was much to do and many people to visit.
On that first night that Poe-Sam had found McLean’s home empty, he did not know that shortly after he returned to the thick wood, McLean and her Mom and Dad had come home.
Though it was very late, everyone was excited. For the family had spent the entire evening delivering dinners and Christmas greetings to a number of elderly people that had no family nearby.
The entire family had worked to prepare the dinners with slices of ham, green beans potatoes and bread. There was also macaroni-and-cheese that McLean prepared herself.
Though exhausted McLean could not stop talking about how each face had brightened with joy when they arrived with the dinners.
After everyone finally settled down to sleep and the home grew quiet there sat on the kitchen counter one forgotten plate of ham, potatoes, green beans, bread and macaroni and cheese. The dish was left over and Dad was planning to place it in the refrigerator so he could take it to work for his lunch on the next day. But with all the excitement, the plate had been overlooked.
On the two days that followed there was a blur of activity: Last minute shopping, gift-giving, long distance phone calls and visits. In fact, things were so busy that no one noticed the lone plate of ham, potatoes, green beans, bread and macaroni and cheese until Christmas Eve.
Christmas Eve
On that first night that Poe-Sam had found McLean’s home empty, he did not know that shortly after he returned to the thick wood, McLean and her Mom and Dad had come home.
Though it was very late, everyone was excited. For the family had spent the entire evening delivering dinners and Christmas greetings to a number of elderly people that had no family nearby.
The entire family had worked to prepare the dinners with slices of ham, green beans potatoes and bread. There was also macaroni-and-cheese that McLean prepared herself.
Though exhausted McLean could not stop talking about how each face had brightened with joy when they arrived with the dinners.
After everyone finally settled down to sleep and the home grew quiet there sat on the kitchen counter one forgotten plate of ham, potatoes, green beans, bread and macaroni and cheese. The dish was left over and Dad was planning to place it in the refrigerator so he could take it to work for his lunch on the next day. But with all the excitement, the plate had been overlooked.
On the two days that followed there was a blur of activity: Last minute shopping, gift-giving, long distance phone calls and visits. In fact, things were so busy that no one noticed the lone plate of ham, potatoes, green beans, bread and macaroni and cheese until Christmas Eve.
Christmas Eve
McLean and her family loved the busy-ness of the Christmas season, but they also enjoyed spending some quiet times together, thinking about the true meaning of Christmas and talking about how the season had been special down through the years.
On this Christmas Eve, the McLean, Mom and Dad all worked together to clear the dishes after supper. Soon they would drink hot cocoa and snack on cookies with red and green sprinkles.
That was when they discovered the forgotten plate of food.
“Uh-oh” Dad grimaced, “ I think I forgot something…” McLean and Mom turned to see the plate.
“You know McLean,” Dad said, “I sure hate to see this food go to waste, but it has been sitting out too long and it would not be healthy for any of us to eat it.”
Just then, Mom came up with a glorious idea.
“You know, there might just be one more lonely soul that would sure appreciate this Christmas dinner…”
“You don’t mean ole’ Poe-Sam, do you?” Dad grinned.
“That’s a great idea!!” McLean exclaimed.
So for the next few moments, they all worked together to arrange the food just so on a colorful Christmas paper plate.
McLean had the honor of placing the plate on the back porch.
Then they all sat in the glow of only the Christmas tree lights – and watched for Mr. Poe-Sam.
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