EVERY girl dreams of enjoying the Christmas festivities enveloped in the love and security of her parents. Little girls adore the mirthful laughter and gleeful yelps of other siblings as they excitedly open presents under the Christmas Tree. And some are indeed lucky to enjoy all these childhood luxuries. But somewhere in the city of Georgetown, one teenaged lass would not be able to enjoy any of this, because of the absence of her dad; and she is very sad and forlorn as the Christmas festivities swirl around her.Young Crystal is now fifteen years old, but she has not seen her dad at the Christmas breakfast table for over ten years. As a young child, she could not understand why her dad was missing, since the movies she watched on television depicted a completely happy family around the Christmas table, inclusive of the father figure.

As she grew older, she began to understand the unpleasant tale of her parents separating while she was just about three years old.
At first, her mom, bitter with anger, told her stories that her dad had migrated; and sometimes, in a fit of anger, her mom would scream out that her dad was dead, which was a horrid lie that tore at the very heartstrings of young Crystal.

Crystal shared an especially strong bond with her father, and so she desperately hoped he would one day come back to sit with them at the Christmas table. As she approached the tender age of fifteen, she understood that her parents had been permanently separated, but that did not change anything for her. She stored a big bundle of love in her heart for her dad, and would get all excited and infused by ‘girlish fire’ every time he called or visited the home.

Yes, she had a stepfather who had loved her and had played an important role in her life, but her dream was to have her father back for this Christmas and every year thereafter.

“My stepfather is a wonderful man, and (he) treated me well over the years, but it’s my dad that I yearn for every day. Regardless of what caused dad and mom to separate, I just want my dad back for good. My dad is such a very special man. He is my big teddy bear, my Santa Claus and everything. He works really hard and gives me everything I ask for, but he is very serious where discipline is concerned; and at one time (he) threatened to shave my entire head because I was disobedient. It was my grandmother who prevented him from carrying through with his plan.

“My dad is sweet and all cuddly, and I am so proud of him. He treats me like a queen, and is definitely my king. Sometimes he and mom would jokingly talk about getting back together, and my heart would leap in delightful anticipation. I know they don’t mean it, since they have both moved on with their lives. They are very close friends though, and I always dream of waking up one morning to find out that dad is back for good.”

Every day, Crystal sits around dreading the thought of having breakfast on Christmas morning without the presence of her dad. But she gets great satisfaction and solace from retiring to her room and staring at the photos of her dad, which he has framed and presented to her.

She will muster the strength and courage to get through Christmas day without his presence, but she would be reassured, however, that she would be spending Boxing Day with him at his apartment.

Her older brother, Alwyn, is in college, so she plans to invite her other brother (Nathan) to accompany her to her father’s home on Boxing Day. She plans to cook and clean for her dad, and then just relax and help to pluck the grey hairs from his head. It is a task she adores, since he pays her handsomely for it.

Spurred on by the ‘small-pieces’ she receives, she finds other tasks to do for him, like squeezing boils on his face, and grooming his finger and toe nails. This, of course, comes with another daughterly charge and gleeful laughter, as she counts the notes she receives for her hard labour.

“I intend to have a wonderful time with my dad this Christmas, and I will never give up on my dream of having him back home for every Christmas,” Crystal disclosed.

Crystal has set her sights on becoming a cosmetologist and hairdresser, and she will soon pursue those dreams…With her dad’s approval, of course.
Written By Alex Wayne