[PIC1000] - A Christmas dream

This is my entry for the #pic1000 contest for this week

What I see?

A boy staring out of a window on a cold night and sees a Santa with his sleigh in the sky.

What I feel?

Cold. A little lonely. The feeling of wonder

My story

There wasn't a view from the dormitory window so when I couldn't sleep at night, I would often go into the bathroom where there was a big window that looked out over the city. Time and time again, I wondered what it would be like to be with a real family. At home, watching TV while snuggled up on a comfy sofa.

Yet here I was, standing bare foot on the cold tiled bathroom floor. I imagined that the big traditional windows had been there for generations along with the old basins and floor tiles. How many young boys had stood here over the years like me and dreamt of a different life. I tolerated the cold as the uncomfortable conditions made me wonder while staring out of the window. My mind would travel and dream of a better place. Dream of a better time. Things must get better for me, that was only fair wasn't it?

Tonight felt different. I had heard that other boys in the dorm talk about the magic and the wonders of Christmas. The coloured lights. The tinsel. The Christmas trees. Santa bringing presents. Tonight - it felt like there was magic in the air. Something special was going to happen tonight.

I looked down the street and imagined that many of the children would already be tucked up in bed. Were they too excited to sleep? The anticipation of Santa delivering presents in the night. I could see the kids excitedly looking out of their windows. Whispering to each other, as if their parents could not hear them.

I imagined the morning. Kids excitedly unwrapping colourful presents. Parents passing each other sparkling gifts. The delicious food being cooked for their Christmas lunches, Succulent turkey. Spicy mince pies. Assortments of chocolates. Sweets. Wow!

And then I saw it, a sleigh in the sky being pulled behind some reindeer. Had my magical moment arrived?

My story today is inspired by the thought that not everyone automatically has a great Christmas. Many people are suffering and see Christmas a time to hope for more and better things.