She turns to Kathryn and says, “Thank you for being my Mommy, I love you Mommy.”
She turns to Sam. Sam being the impatient one says, “I love you sister.”
Crystal actually giggles before she says, “I love you too sister.”
Kathryn and I say simultaneously, “We love you daughters.”
It takes a couple more hours to finish cleaning up and packing away toys, pictures and a few other personal items. Still left is unopened presents under the Christmas tree. Brushing the pine needles aside I read the tag, it is for Crystal. I hand it to her and say, “Your Angel Mommy and Daddy bought this for you. They wanted you to have it you should open your present.”
Crystal’s eyes show no joy, but she does understand my meaning. Instead of opening the present she sets it aside for a moment slides under the tree and finds two presents, she hands one to Kathryn and the other to me. Crystal explains, “I got those for my Mommy and Daddy. You are my Mommy and Daddy now so you should have them.”
Sam prompts us, “Go ahead, open the presents. I want to see what you got.”
Crystal begins first ripping at her package. Once it is open, a bright smile covers her face. She looks up and says, “This is something I really wanted. Thank you Angel Mommy and Daddy.” There are another two packages under the tree; they are from each of Crystal’s parents to each other. I really do not feel that we should open them, but Crystal wants us to. The packages contain, I hand woven sweater made by Crystal’s mother, and a birdhouse made by Crystal’s father.
Kathryn and I both had tears in our eyes, realizing the only store-bought gift was Crystal’s present, with no money Crystal’s parents did the only thing that could, they use their time for their present to each other. Kathryn says, “I absolutely love it, thank you Crystal and thank you Crystal’s Angel Daddy.”
Seeing Crystal’s bright smile I slide my coat and my shirt off, now in just my T-shirt I slide the sweater on that fits remarkably well. Looking Crystal in her beautiful brown eyes I say, “I think this is the best sweater I have. Thank you Crystal and thank you Crystal’s Angel Mommy.”
Crystal, Sam Kathryn and I enjoy a long hug before we leave Crystal’s former home for the last time.
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