Welcome to Gaia! ::

This year was kind of unique in that Christmas was slated to fall on a Sunday. What that meant was that many companies, like the one Hannah’s father worked for, let everyone out an hour or two early on Friday as well as Monday off as an ‘Observed Holiday’. Thankfully, for full time employees, that meant that they had paid time off and additional time to spend with their families.

Just as they use to do before Hannah had been diagnosed with ALL; she and her parents, as well as her extended family that lived nearby, gave a nod to past traditions and gathered at their local church with several members of the congregation, many of which who were a part of the choir, to divide themselves into small groups to go caroling for a few hours. The decision to go this year was met with several cautionary looks from both her parents and the little guardian cat, Sheena, with good reason. Being in remission did not mean that she was cured; there was always a risk of relapsing again like before but Hannah refused to let that fear deter her from trying to bring back some normalcy to her life. Granted new traditions could always be made but this is one that she use to look forward to each year.

Seven o’clock rolled around quickly enough and, after the pastor finished his announcement, everyone got in a single file line as several kids from the youth group passed out silver bells with a red ribbon attached.

While the cousins chit chatted amongst themselves the doors to the chapel opened quietly. A sharp bite of cold air snuck into the warm room, along with a few snow flurries, as the late arrival stepped inside.

“Hey Hannah?” Inquisitive eyes looked up at her questioningly.

“Hmm?” she responded with one eyebrow quirked despite knowing what he was going to ask.

“What did you ask for for Christmas?” Hannah chuckled but before she had a chance to answer him a heavy hand rested upon both their heads. Surprised, the two turned around when they saw Jesse’s wide eyed expression.

Liam gasped excitedly before belting out his cousin's name “ISAAC!!” His mother, Rebecca, was the first to turn around to scold her son for yelling but that stern look quickly melted into one of joy upon seeing the young man standing tall beside her youngest child. “Oh my Lord you made it!” Ever the affectionate one, she was the first to throw her arms around her nephew in greeting.

The conversation kind of exploded from there as older members of the church turned to offer him well wishes and thanks for his service. Always the respectful one Isaac accepted their blessings graciously and engaged them each in brief chats to catch up. When the last person finally stepped away to rejoin their family he finally turned his attention on to Hannah. ”Are you okay?” he asked noting her unusual silence.

“Yeah,” she responded with a sincere smile. “I’m just happy everyone made it. I’ve missed seeing everyone like this.” Hannah admitted and he knew by that almost misty look in her eyes how true those words were.

“I know what you mean,” he agreed, pulling her into a hug along with the youngest of the bunch.

It was at that moment the pastor approached the microphone and asked for everyone's attention. Instructions were given and within a few minutes everyone was bundled up outside in the parking lot and in groups of about 15-20. Neighborhood routes were given out and a the congregation dispersed everyone began ringing the bells they had been given in unison while singing the first song in the booklet they had been given.