Ten year old Luke Shepherd held his favorite photo, and gazed longingly at the image of he and his father together. He was two years old when his mother had dressed him for the picture. His father had assumed a regal pose, and proudly placed his son on his knee. It had certainly been a joyful day at the Shepherd household those eight years ago. Times were not so joyful now since Mr. Shepherd's sudden stroke. It had happened six months earlier, and so far there was little improvement. The jovial laughter Luke was used to hearing from his father was a memory now. Days were long as he watched his father lie in bed unable to speak, and with little movement. Mrs. Shepherd was by his side much of the day, and Luke looked after the farm and his two little sisters. He was so tired by night time, that he would fall on his bed with no cover. "Mother" would tenderly lay a quilt over her young son, and kiss the blisters on his weathered little hands. As time went by and Christmas grew closer, she secretly hoped that her children would dream of sugar plums, candy canes, and bright shiny things. About a week before Christmas, Luke was sitting on his father's bed, and whispered, "Don't worry Papa, I won't let you down". A sudden determination hit him, and a new energy sparked on the inside. He looked around that dismal bedroom and decided it was time for a change. He was sure that his father would get better quicker if there was something new to look at. Off he ran to the old cedar chest, and took out a fresh pair of curtains. "There!" he said as he hung them, "Now the whole room is smiling!" His father managed a very slight smile as well, and Luke saw it. That was it!! Luke decided that if a small thing like new curtains made that big of a difference, he would do more. A surge of Christmas Spirit hit his little brown boots, and he literally made it to the front door in four leaps and two bounds. "Wait, Luke!" his mother called out, "Take your coat, or you'll freeze!" As she went to hand him his jacket, he slowly turned and fixed his eyes on his father's torn hat and plaid coat. "Mama", he said, "I'll be back when I find Papa something to look at". With that, he slipped into his father's coat, and taking the hat in his hand, kissed his mama, went outside, and saddled his pony. Mrs. Shepherd watched as her son placed the hat on his head and rode away. Snow was lightly falling by the time Luke got to the Wilson's Farm. He didn't really have a plan, but was sure Mr. Wilson could give him some advice. Mrs. Wilson was the first to see Luke riding up the lane, and she called to her husband, "Wilson!" "Come quick Wilson, somebody's coming!" They stood together on the front porch, and Mr. Wilson suddenly recognized Luke. "Why, it's the little Shepherd boy", he said to his wife. They brought him in from the cold, and gave him some nice warm cocoa. Luke was grateful, and sipped away. He heard a small cry coming from another room and asked what it was. "That's our new son", said Mr. Wilson. "Would you like to see him?" "His name is Christian". With that, Luke got up and walked into the room where the baby was lying. He knelt down beside the small cradle, and held the infant's hand. "It sure is good to have something new to look at", he said to the child. Then he returned to the table and finished his cocoa while the Wilson's visited with him and asked about his father. "That's the reason I came to see you", said Luke. "I need to find something new for my Papa to look at, because it makes him better." "Well, then", said Mrs. Wilson, you just look around and help yourself". Mr. Wilson agreed and handed Luke one of his pipes. He said, "Take this, and it will remind your Pa of life's simple pleasures." Luke spied an empty picture frame and said, "This will remind my Papa of new memories to come." He took a big crystal rock because "Papa would think about how strong he was". Then, he just went around collecting various things and ended up with a rusty nail, an old victrola record, three dried crabapples, a turkey beard, and some chicken wire. A ten year old boy simply has different tastes. Luke kissed the baby, hugged Mrs. Wilson, and shook Mr. Wilson's hand. After thanking them kindly, he rode away and headed home with his treasures. His excitement was contagious when he stepped through the front door, and his mother and sisters greeted him with hugs and giggles. Luke borrowed a small table from his sisters room, and they all went off to see their father. Nobody knew that he had managed to pull himself upright in the bed. He got so excited when he heard Luke come home, that he found a new strength. Mrs. Shepherd almost fainted for joy, and the kids all drowned him in kisses. Luke proceeded to place the table under the window with the new curtains, and proudly took each item from his knapsack. His Papa watched with tears flowing down his cheeks as his small son explained every detail. It was a fine assortment, and worth more than any expensive Christmas present ever could be, because it was from the heart. After that, every morning when Mr. Shepherd woke up, the first thing he looked at was the table with the things to look at. He determined that one day he would hold them. When Christmas morning came, and he looked at the "looking" table, it suddenly struck him funny, and he laughed and laughed until his laughter shook the bed and filled the house. There were few presents under the tree that day, just some mittens that Mrs. Shepherd had made and wrapped in feed sacks , but nobody was around the tree. The whole family was laughing together as "Papa" slid off the side of the bed, and placed one foot on the floor. It certainly was a wonderful view for Christmas!
