Kevin stared at that glowing sun that was a reminder of so much on this day.

“Thank You for picking my name off a tree and giving me two amazing and precious gifts that I never deserved and will never be able to repay you for.”

And just like that, Kevin remembered.

The presents for Thomas.

“Oh, no.”

It was Christmas day, and the presents that he bought for the paper angel named Thomas were still in the trunk of his car, waiting to be delivered.

Waiting to be presented to a boy who was surely disappointed and wondering what had happened to them.

Where You’re Going

Sara and Thomas had managed to get Mom a stockingful of gifts that they’d individually wrapped to make Christmas morning feel special. They were small things that both of them had bought at the dollar store and Target for a buck. But Mom didn’t mind. She opened up each one as if it were fine jewelry. The tears in her eyes spoke her thankfulness.

Sara had opened her gifts and couldn’t believe she received everything that she’d asked for. Thomas could tell that she felt bad about his not receiving his Angel Tree gifts, but it didn’t matter. After all the giftgiving this year, including bringing all the donated presents down to the Salvation Army to give to their “Forgotten Angels,” Christmas had already been beyond special. He’d always remember this year because of that. Because of that and because of the way those silly little presents made his mom cry.

As they sat in the trailer with the Christmas tree in the corner decorated with homemade ornaments and paper chains, the sound of Christmas music on the radio, Mom disappeared for a moment and then came back with something.

“I know you didn’t get the presents you asked for,” Mom told him, presenting him with the square gift wrapped in red and green. “But this is from your sister and me. Sara wanted to make sure you knew it was from her.”

“Uh-oh,” Thomas said.

“Open it,” Sara said.

Holding the box, he already half guessed what was inside it. But he didn’t want to really believe that. There was no way. It couldn’t be.

When he saw the box, he knew it was indeed true.

He smiled and opened the top of the shoe box.

“They’re not Nikes but they’re new and look durable.”

“And I helped pick them out,” Sara said.

They were new basketball shoes.

It didn’t matter what brand they were or exactly what pattern or style was on them. They were new basketball shoes.

“Mom,” he said, wondering how she got the money to pay for them.

“You needed them. I just wish—”

But before she could finish that comment, Thomas got up and gave her a hug.

Later on that Christmas morning, in the quiet of his room as he wore his new basketball shoes, Thomas opened up the notebook and began to write.