{"id":1699,"date":"2016-12-05T17:33:23","date_gmt":"2016-12-05T22:33:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/vg-ford.com\/?p=1699"},"modified":"2016-12-05T17:33:23","modified_gmt":"2016-12-05T22:33:23","slug":"advent-day-5-what-treasures-we-find","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/?p=1699","title":{"rendered":"(advent) Day 5 – What treasures we find…"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"snow-full\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Monday, December 5<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lily sat at the table in the tea room after school, supposedly doing her homework. In reality, she was absently twirling her pencil in one hand while she watched Kaylee and Gideon work on a puzzle at the next table. Schrodinger and Jack were napping in the big cat bed next to the wood stove, and there was a steady hum around her, as people came in and out of the bookstore.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Her thoughts were as far away as her best friend was. Zoey\u2019s absence was painful, but Lily found that what she missed most was sharing the magic with her. The castle was even more amazing than their last advent calendar.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cEverything okay, Miss Lily?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She looked up, startled. Goldie was standing next to her table, a book in one hand and a mug of tea in the other. \u201cDo you mind if I join you?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, go ahead.\u201d Lily moved her school bag to the floor next to her, and he settled into the seat. \u201cI\u2019m just doing homework.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Goldie laughed gently. \u201cIs that what you\u2019re calling it? Looks like you were daydreaming to this old pirate.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lily nodded sheepishly. \u201cWell, I\u2019m SUPPOSED to be doing homework.\u201d She scowled at the notebook in front of her. \u201cBut I can\u2019t seem to concentrate.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI hear you. It\u2019s hard to get things done when you miss someone.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, it\u2019s not like I don\u2019t talk to her every night,\u201d Lily said. \u201cBut it\u2019s just not the same. You get used to having someone there, and then they\u2019re not. And it feels\u2026\u201d She trailed off, not sure what to say.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLike there\u2019s a hole there,\u201d Goldie completed for her. \u201cLike part of you is missing.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She nodded again. \u201cSilly, isn\u2019t it? It\u2019s not like she\u2019s gone forever.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, it\u2019s not silly.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lily blinked. That wasn\u2019t what she had been expecting to hear. \u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Goldie leaned over and laid his gnarled hand over hers. The sea-roughened skin felt oddly comforting. \u201cYou miss your friend. True friendship is a treasure, and you\u2019re right to miss her. But don\u2019t forget that she\u2019s coming back. Have your adventures here for both of you, and then, when you see her again, you can share everything you\u2019ve both done. That way, neither of you misses anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lily thought about that for a moment. \u201cSo maybe instead of just missing her, I should keep a journal? So that I have everything.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMany crewmates keep journals for just such a reason,\u201d Goldie told her. \u201cSee?\u201d And he reached into the breast pocket in his coat. Lily watched as he pulled out a small leather-bound book. \u201cI write down what I\u2019ve done every day, so I can write to my best friend.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhere is your best friend?\u201d Lily asked him, then realized he might not want to tell her. \u201cIf you don\u2019t mind my asking, that is.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t mind at all,\u201d he said. \u201cHis name is Ink, and he sails with Cap\u2019n Chris Steele. We grew up together, but Cap\u2019n Chekov only had one berth when we went to sea. We write each other every week.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lily looked at the little notebook, and then reached down to her backpack. In there was her wallet, and it had the ten dollars that she\u2019d saved from her allowance. She\u2019d been thinking of buying another book with it, but now, she knew what she needed. \u201cThank you, Goldie,\u201d she said, and slipped from her chair.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Aunt Margie had a display of blank books towards the front of the store, and Lily looked at each of them in turn, wanting to make sure she chose the right one. In the end, she found a little leather-bound book that was very similar to the one Goldie carried. This one, however, had a golden heart embossed on the front cover, and the words \u201cBest Friends\u201d written underneath it. It was perfect.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cFind what you were looking for?\u201d DC asked, as she rang her up.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes, thank you,\u201d Lily said, and took the book back to her table. Goldie was still sitting there, reading, but he looked up as she took her seat and said, \u201cThank you, Goldie. That helps.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He smiled and went back to his book, and she started her homework again.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

After she was done, Lily packed up her schoolwork and went into the kitchen, where Molly was setting out loaves of lemon-blueberry bread and cranberry-nut bread to cool on the sideboard. \u201cI\u2019m done, Molly,\u201d she said. \u201cCan we do the calendar now?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAbsolutely,\u201d Molly said, letting the last loaf drop from its tin onto the cooling rack. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you go round up the others, and I\u2019ll bring the castle out to the tea room? I think that might be better today, since I\u2019ve got to get these together.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOkay!\u201d Lily ran out and woke up Schrodinger and Jack, then the three of them convinced Kaylee and Gideon to put away the puzzle. By the time they were done, Molly had brought the castle out and set it on the table near Goldie.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat is amazing,\u201d Goldie said, looking over the castle. \u201cThe Snow Queen\u2019s castle, in miniature.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Would you like to help us look for the number?<\/em> Schrodinger asked him. We need to find it to see what the activity is today!<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSurely!\u201d Goldie put aside his book and joined them in looking for the 5 that they knew was there somewhere.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lily was the one to find it this time, hiding on the side of a small building in the courtyard. She pressed it, and the window opened to show them what looked like an artist\u2019s studio. There were large tables covered with paper in all sorts of different shades and colors, and at one of the tables was a young man with bright green hair and beard, leaning over a paper chain that he was making. As they watched, the paper nearest to him jumped up and separated itself into neat strips, then flowed towards him, folding itself into the chain. The chain itself wound like a snake around the room.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

One of the pieces of paper came arrowing out the window and dropped into Lily\u2019s hand, revealing itself as a ribbon with the following words on it: \u201cFollow the pirate to find your treasure chain!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She looked at Goldie. \u201cAre you taking us somewhere? Where are we finding a treasure chain?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He winked at her. \u201cGet your coats, and I\u2019ll show you!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It took them a few minutes – Molly had to put the castle away, and then she and Kiaya (who had decided to join them) herded everyone outside, where Pavel waited for them in his large sleigh. \u201cIt\u2019s a good thing I brought the big one,\u201d he joked, as they piled in. \u201cOtherwise, Goldie might\u2019ve had to walk.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWouldn\u2019t be the first time, Cap\u2019n,\u201d Goldie said, as he climbed up beside the driver. \u201cNot the first time at all.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhere are we going, Pavel?\u201d Gideon asked, as the sleigh started to move. \u201cWhere is the treasure chain?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll see, my fine young sailor, you\u2019ll see!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

No matter how much they clamored, and promised kisses and Molly\u2019s cookies (to which Molly laughed, telling them they were awfully free with her goodies, especially since they weren\u2019t making them), Pavel refused to tell them where they were going. After a few minutes, Lily stopped trying and instead looked at the lights going by. The late afternoon sun was slipping below the horizon and the Christmas lights were coming on. This was part of what Lily loved about being in the Cove – the way the entire community came together to celebrate the season. Zoey had told her the night before that her grandmother\u2019s town only put lights up in the main commercial part of the town. \u201cIt\u2019s just sad,\u201d she\u2019d said. \u201cBut we brought some of our lights, and we\u2019re going to decorate Gran\u2019s house tomorrow. I\u2019ll send you pictures! Can you send me pictures of the Cove lights? Especially the Station? What\u2019s the theme this year?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMolly, do you know what the theme for the Station is this year?\u201d Lily asked, interrupting Kaylee, who was still begging Pavel to tell them where they were going.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDrew said they were doing a Christmas Past theme, but he didn\u2019t give me any details,\u201d Molly said. \u201cMaybe we\u2019ll have to go to the Station in the next few days to see what they\u2019ve got going on. Whatever it is, involves a lot of snow this year.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It\u2019s a good thing we have it, then!<\/em> Schrodinger said. That one Christmas with Caliban was dreary, and not just because he was here and being obnoxious. I can\u2019t imagine Christmas without snow.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMe either,\u201d Kaylee said, bouncing around on Molly\u2019s lap. \u201cIt\u2019s not Christmas if there are no snowmen!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMelting snowmen!\u201d Gideon said. \u201cWe could make melting snowmen!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d his mother asked. \u201cIt\u2019s too cold for them to melt.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNot if we feed them hot chocolate!\u201d Gideon said, and he and Kaylee began to laugh.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lily was about to say something, but then the sleigh turned up a familiar driveway. \u201cThe nursing home!\u201d she said instead, tugging on her sister\u2019s sleeve. \u201cLook, Kaylee, the nursing home! We\u2019re going to see Grandma Rose and everyone!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ever since the advent calendar had introduced them to Carter\u2019s Cove Assisted Living Facility, Lily and Zoey had come to love the residents of the facility, and had managed to get their parents to take them there at least once every two weeks, to listen, play games, and just enjoy the company of the older folks. Grandma Rose in particular was Lily\u2019s favorite – she had once lived in Russia, and taught several diplomats French, and was teaching Lily and Zoey to crochet.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYay!\u201d Kaylee said. \u201cI wonder what we\u2019re doing here?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

That became apparent when Mrs. Dawson led them into the main room. Just like in the workshop that they had seen in the castle, there were piles of paper that several of the residents were busy cutting into strips. Lily spotted Grandma Rose sitting with some of her friends, and went running over to her.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGrandma Rose! Bonjour!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBonjour, Lily!\u201d Grandma Rose said, putting her scissors down and reaching out to enfold Lily in a perfumed hug. Lily loved the way she smelled – of her signature flower, along with the faintest hint of sugar and tea, and old books. \u201cBut where is Zoey?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s with her grandmother for December and January,\u201d Lily said sadly. \u201cShe\u2019s missing all the fun!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, all the fun here,\u201d Grandma Rose said, patting the seat next to her. \u201cBut I\u2019ll bet her grandmother is thrilled to have her there. And she has cousins there, yes?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Lily said, climbing into the chair. Spread out on the table before them was a plethora of brightly colored wrapping paper, ready to be made into paper chains. \u201cAnd she\u2019s happy to see them. And her gran. But she misses Christmas in the Cove. It\u2019s not the same, not being in a Crossroads town.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, it\u2019s not,\u201d Grandma Rose agreed, picking up her scissors again and starting to cut more strips. The paper in front of her was green, with reindeer and snowmen dancing across it with candy canes. Lily looked at the table – there were already strips of other wrapping paper, and a glue stick, which she picked up. Then she started to create a chain. \u201cBut it is wonderful in other ways. Never underestimate the value of different experiences, child.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cTell me about Christmas when you were younger, Grandma Rose. What was it like when you were a child?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

And as they sat and constructed the chains, the older woman wove a tale for her of glittering lights and warm fires, Christmas trees decked with glass ornaments that had come from far shores, and candles that didn\u2019t burn with regular flame, so they didn\u2019t have to worry about fires, and crocheted snowflakes and stars. It sounded lovely to Lily, and she was surprised at how quickly the chains came together.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cTreasure chains,\u201d she said, and Grandma Rose looked at her.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe castle said we were making treasure chains,\u201d Lily said. \u201cBut I\u2019m thinking that the real treasure chains are the stories we get.\u201d She told Grandma Rose about the castle, and about the notebook she had purchased, since Zoey couldn\u2019t be there.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cA journal is a wonderful thing,\u201d Grandma Rose agreed. \u201cNot only will it give you the memories to share with Zoey, but someday, in a far distant future, when we are gone, you will be able to look back and tell your grandchildren about what you did, and what we did. The stories will live on.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

> Activity: Paper chains! Put them up around your home, or around someone else\u2019s home, if you like!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Monday, December 5   Lily sat at the table in the tea room after school, supposedly doing her homework. In reality, she was absently twirling her pencil in one hand while she watched Kaylee and Gideon work on a puzzle at the next table. Schrodinger and Jack were napping in the big cat bed next …<\/p>\n

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