{"id":25478,"date":"2019-12-25T12:21:59","date_gmt":"2019-12-25T17:21:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=25478"},"modified":"2025-12-25T11:47:54","modified_gmt":"2025-12-25T16:47:54","slug":"first-christmas-in-boston-1848-by-indiana","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=25478","title":{"rendered":"First Christmas in Boston, 1848 (by Indiana)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Bonanza
\n~*~*~ Advent Calendar ~*~*~
\n* Day 21 *<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Summary:\u00a0 Adam’s spending his first Christmas away from his family.<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 G
\nWord Count:\u00a0 565<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

First Christmas in Boston, 1848.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam was standing in his grandfather’s living room in Boston. He was looking at the painting above the fireplace. The serenity that emanated from the country scene brought him some peace. The painting depicted a young woman holding a sunshade, standing on a small wooden bridge over a stream. In the distance, a donkey was grazing.\u00a0\u00a0In the sky, a few clouds of good weather and an orange-tinted sun gave the painting a warm note. The painting made one want to dream in the shade of the trees on a hot summer day.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam was overcome with nostalgia. The painting sent him back to Nevada. He missed his family. It was his first Christmas in Boston, and he was away from his father and younger brothers.<\/span><\/p>\n

The sound of footsteps startled him.<\/span><\/p>\n

His grandfather put one hand on his shoulder.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Well, lad, you look very sad in this time of joy. Merry Christmas, Adam. \u00bb<\/span><\/p>\n

And he hugged the young man.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Thank you, Grandpa.” He looked down at the thick oriental carpet.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Do you want to talk a little? \u00bb.<\/span><\/p>\n

“I…miss my father and brothers, grandpa.”<\/span><\/p>\n

” I bet you do, Adam. Especially on a day like this. It’s the first time you’ve ever celebrated Christmas away from home. It’s natural for you to feel sad and nostalgic, my boy. \u00bb<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam looked at his grandfather, then his gaze slipped back to the painting.<\/span><\/p>\n

“It’s a very beautiful painting, Grandpa. It’s soothing. \u00bb<\/span><\/p>\n

” It represents your mother, my boy. A friend painted it for her on her 16th birthday. \u00bb<\/span><\/p>\n

“My mother? \u00bb<\/span><\/p>\n

“Yes, your mother. She’d be so proud of you, Adam. You’ve grown into such a beautiful boy. You’re bright and brave but also stubborn and not always easy to get along with, but the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, and the wisdom of our ancestors is in the simile, my boy. \u00bb<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam couldn’t help but laugh at his grandfather’s comments.<\/span><\/p>\n

“I’m sorry, Grandpa, if I’m making life a little difficult for you… \u00bb<\/span><\/p>\n

“Adam, you bring me joy. I’m happy to have you under my roof. Happy to have my daughter’s son with me. When you smile, you remind me so much of her and your mischief as well. It’s a blessing for me to have you close to me Adam”.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam looked his grandfather in the eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

“I’m happy to be here, Grandpa. You know, for a long time I thought you were mad at me for…”<\/span><\/p>\n

“Blamed you? For what reason, boy? \u00bb<\/span><\/p>\n

“For depriving you of your daughter grandfather.”<\/span><\/p>\n

“Adam, how can you think for one moment that I could blame you. Your parents wanted you so much. You brought her so much happiness, Adam. She held you in her arms for such a short time, but her face radiated joy and love for you. I lost my daughter, yes, but you were born, and I received a wonderful gift that day. God is my witness that I have never, ever had negative thoughts about you. I love you. And I’m happy that you’ve become this beautiful young man. Come on, Adam, let’s you and me have our first Christmas together. \u00bb<\/span><\/p>\n

They hugged each other. Adam wiped his eyes with the back of his hand, and leaving the living room looked at the painting one last time, and whispered an “I love you” to the mother he hadn’t had time to know.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

END<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Link to the 2019 Advent Calendar – December 22:<\/p>\n

A Thawing Heart (by BluewindFarm)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/g><\/svg><\/i> \"Loading\"<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 Adam’s spending his first Christmas away from his family.<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 G
\nWord Count:\u00a0 565<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":25241,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[23,30,40],"tags":[1062],"class_list":["post-25478","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-prequels","category-challenges","tag-advent-calendar","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-30-id","wpcat-40-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":570,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/advent.jpg?fit=480%2C413&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":61185,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=61185","url_meta":{"origin":25478,"position":0},"title":"The Meaning of Christmas (by PatD in PA)","author":"Pat D in PA","date":"December 24, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 An explanation of Christmas, between brothers. Rating:\u00a0 G\u00a0 (120 words) Written for the 2025 Bonanza Brand Advent Calendar","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Christmas-Traditions.jpg?fit=639%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Christmas-Traditions.jpg?fit=639%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Christmas-Traditions.jpg?fit=639%2C480&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":61194,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=61194","url_meta":{"origin":25478,"position":1},"title":"Stuck Inside (by Fanofoldtvshows)","author":"Fanofoldtvshows","date":"December 24, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Being stuck inside can lead to fond memories. 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Rating:\u00a0 G\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a01,400 words","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Advent.jpg?fit=791%2C680&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Advent.jpg?fit=791%2C680&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Advent.jpg?fit=791%2C680&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Advent.jpg?fit=791%2C680&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":15735,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=15735","url_meta":{"origin":25478,"position":3},"title":"Christmas Time (by Indiana)","author":"indiana","date":"December 25, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"This story was written for the 2017 Advent Calendar - Day 21 Summary:\u00a0 Tears of disappointment turn into a lesson of compassion for a brother. 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Rating:\u00a0 G\u00a0 265 words Written for the 2024 Bonanza Brand Advent Calendar","rel":"","context":"In "Poetry"","block_context":{"text":"Poetry","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Christmas-Traditions.jpg?fit=639%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Christmas-Traditions.jpg?fit=639%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Christmas-Traditions.jpg?fit=639%2C480&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":49966,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=49966","url_meta":{"origin":25478,"position":5},"title":"Ponderosa Christmas (by AC1830)","author":"AC1830","date":"December 25, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 No one signed up for the fourth, so this day was opened to all members in the Forums to try their hand at writing poetry for the season. 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