Grace would give all she has to provide a better Christmas for the children in the home she ran, she took over the affairs of the children’s home from her mother three years ago. Her mother had successfully ran the home for thirty years and in all of Grace’s twenty eight years on earth she has seen her mother put in all her love and sweat to ensure the children of God Angels Home have a good life. Her mother’s love for the children was what motivated Grace to take over the duties of the home when her mother was diagnosed with Arthritis three years ago.

She was so excited and filled with lots of aspiration when she succeeded her mother, but at this moment she felt like a failure, and no she does not regret taking over from her mum because the few years has given her sweet memories she will forever cherish all her life. She quickly let her mind drift back to those memories; Adaora’s beautiful eyes smiling at her after a visit to the dentist, Gbemisola’s wide grin when she was awarded best student in her class, Joseph’s excitement when he was given a medal for a table tennis tournament and little Bobo’s cute face the day she picked him up at their doorstep after he was abandoned.  

She was so disappointed at herself for failing her mother and these sweet children. It was during the first week of December she got a call from the State Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, she thought it was just a regular call but on getting there the Director of Child Services broke the bombshell to her.

“Miss Okonkwo, reports from our previous visits shows that your home is not running smoothly” the Director informed her.

“It’s not really as you make it seem ma” Grace answered “The home is still a safe place for those children” 

“Miss Okonkwo, I know the home mean a lot to you and your mother but the reports do not lie, you have to relinquish the home if you really love those children” the Director replied back shaking her head sadly.

It took a lot for Grace not to shout back at the Director telling her that families go through tough times but the beauty is that they come out of those tough times stronger, and like every other family God Angels home was only going through a phase and they would soon come out stronger. Of a truth, the home was going through financial distress as free will donations have reduced over the years. Grace had written to various well meaning individuals seeking financial appeal, she has also organized fund raising events but all to no avail. Grace was determined not to back down without a fight for those children.

The drive back home was a solemn one filled with different ideas to maintain ownership of the home. On getting home she met her mother and Ukamaka her best friend and assistant, she ran into their arms and cried telling them the outcome of the meeting.

“I’m sorry mummy for failing you after all the years you put in to this home” she cried to her mother

“You are not a failure Grace, I have seen you grow so much these past few years and I am so proud to be called your mother” Mrs. Okonkwo encouraged her daughter. “God will always take care of these children and I also think it is time for you to consider starting your own family.”

She decided not to argue with her

mother even though she still prays for a miracle to happen before the new-year.

On the 24th of December she gathered all her resources and set out to the shopping mall in the Capital City to shop for Christmas gifts for the children. She decided to go over and beyond in her spending since this might be her last Christmas with the children and she would want it to be memorable for them. After shopping to her heart desire she went to the motor park to get a vehicle going back to her town, but unfortunately the last vehicle just left. Anxiety rushed over her as she couldn’t afford to spend the night at the capital because doing so will ruin the traditional practice of the children waking up to their Christmas presents.

Her last resort was to stand by the road side asking for lift to her town, though it was a risky one giving the insecurity but she was willing to take any risk for the children in her life.

Clinton was driving to him hometown to spend the Christmas with his family and also in preparation for his younger sister’s wedding. He saw a young lady from her afar pointing toward his direction and thought within himself not to stop since this might be a ploy from robbers to attack unsuspecting drivers. He had driven past her when he decided to help her as his conscience won’t let him rest if he heard a sad news regarding a lady the next day.

She quickly got into the car and thanked him for assisting her, she told him she has been standing for the past thirty minutes with no help. They continued their journey in silence for twenty minutes before he decided to ease the tension in the car by asking her about her journey and the enormous bag she was carrying. Talking about her children gives her so much happiness and in the blink of an eye, her gloomy face was replaced with a cheerful one. She told him about the orphanage she runs and the bags are filled with presents for the children and that it was a tradition every Christmas morning for the kids to open their presents. They got to town and he dropped her at the home, she thanked him excitedly and invited him to spend the Christmas the next day with the Children.

Early the next morning, she and Ukamaka set out to arranging the place with Christmas designs and the gifts under the tree. The morning was still young when they got a knock and it was their invited guest Clinton who came to assist in their Christmas preparations. He accepted the role to be Santa Claus who would hand over each child’s gift. 

After the day’s event Grace and Clinton sat to discuss and she told him of their impending closure due to lack of finance. Clinton told her of his interest in helping children’s home but he hasn’t gotten around to seeing one he could assist, on seeing her dedication and love for her children he asked to be their benefactor. Straightway she put a call to the Director not minding the fact it was a work free day, she asked if the Ministry’s decision can be revoked if they got a benefactor and the Director affirmed it that it could be revoked if a benefactor was to assist in the running of the home.

“Thank you very much ma, I would be coming with a benefactor during the week, and also a merry Christmas to you and your family” Grace said ending the call.