A Christmas wish comes in the form of a dream

In Lakewood, Colorado lived a girl by the name of Manuela Solo. Her father was away in Iraq fighting in the was, and it was Christmas Eve. She didn't think he would arrive in time for Christmas. Her mother, Mrs. Solo, was sad because she couldn't cheer up her daughter.

"Manuela!" Mrs. Solo called from downstairs.

Manuela came running down and tripped on her shoelace and hurt her foot.

"Chica, are you okay?" Mrs. Solo asked.

"Yes, my foot just hurts," Manuela answered trying not to cry.

"You know what your father would say, ‘its too far from your heart to kill you,'" Mrs. Solo responded.

Manuela's dad did always say that.

"Your father sent you a package," Mrs. Solo said handing Manuela a box with a letter on top.

Manuela opened the letter and it read:

Dear Manuela,

If you have received this package, it means I have passed away. I wanted you to have a present for Christmas. I love you very much. You will always be daddy's little girl. I wish I could have seen you one last time before I died, to give you one last hug and final kiss good-bye. I will always be with you in your heart, and watch over you to make sure you'll be alright.

Love,
Dad

Manuela began to cry, and she opened the box while her mom read the letter. Inside the box was a diamond ring with a 24kt gold band with Daddy's Little Girl engraved on the inside of the gold band. Mrs. Solo was in tears and knew that she would be visited in person after Christmas about her husband's death. Manuela put the ring on and ran upstairs. She cried herself to sleep. Manuela had a weird dream, and her father was in it.

"Manuela, don't cry," Mr. Solo said wiping her tears.

"Daddy?" Manuela asked.

"I want you to have this. I carried it with me through the whole war," Mr. Solo answered.

"Wait," Manuela cried.

"I have to go. I love you," Mr. Solo said hugging her and giving her a final kiss good-bye.

Manuela woke up with tears in her eyes, and it was Christmas morning. She had a gold locket in her hand. When she opened it, there was a picture of her and her father when she was a baby. Manuela was never sure how she got the locket, neither does her mother. Her last visit with her dad was his Christmas wish come true. He made it to her in time for Christmas, even though it was a dream. She was able to deal with her father's death a little easier.

Brandi Hutchison
Galt