350 Do Not Open Until...

His wife of 47 years had passed away on Christmas day of 2021 from COVID-19. In the ICU at the local hospital she had licked the envelope to seal the present she wanted to leave for him.

And just in time.

By the time he had arrived to visit her that day, the nurses were removing her IVs. She had been pronounced dead just minutes earlier. Bedside, his grieving private, for he was a private man. Still, the nurse could see his sorrow.

"Mr. Sanchez?"

"Yes?"

"Your wife wanted you to have this." She handed him the envelope. Upon it were written his wife's last words:

MERRY CHRISTMAS, LOVE. THIS GIFT IS AS MUCH FOR ME AS IT IS FOR YOU

DO NOT OPEN UNTIL CHRISTMAS 2025

"Did she say anything about this?" he asked.

"No—just that I make sure you got it."

When he had returned after her funeral days later, he saw the envelope he had placed on the mantle above the Christmas stockings. There it remained even after all the decorations had been boxed away into the basement.

He wondered if he'd ever put those decorations back up again.

Life went on for him. After a year he ventured out again, joining some community reading clubs and even subscribing to ballroom dancing lessons. He related well and kindly with women he met, but there was only one for him, and he knew that she was waiting for him. He had almost forgotten about her final gift to him.

Almost.

It was 2025 and as Christmas season began to arise on storefronts and become prominent on TV advertising, he felt the urge to return to the basement.

He wanted to decorate this year, for this was the Christmas he'd finally open her present.

Like his wife before him, he passed away unceremoniously on this Christmas day—of 2025.

When his daughter had flown in to sort things out after hearing the bad news, she happened upon the opened envelop that was, as described, "As much for me as it is for you." She realized her mother's wait was over, and knew how to send him to her.

In the envelope was a pre-paid cremation coupon.

________________

AUTHOR'S NOTES:

For Sunday, December 15, Day 350 of the 2024 Story-a-Day Challenge.

366 WORDS (without A/N)

ONLY 16 DAYS TO GO! THE STORIES KEEP COMING LIKE PRESENTS ON IN THIS 2024 STORY-A-DAY VOCAL CHALLENGE.

There are currently 3 jolly Vocal writers in this 2024 Story-a-Day Challenge:

• L.C. (Keenly anticipating) Schäfer

• Rachel (Patiently waiting) Deeming

• Gerard (Beyond expectations) DiLeo

AMONG THEM 2024 HAS SEEN PUBLISHED OVER A THOUSAND UNIQUE, DAILY MICROFICTIONS. NOT TOO SHABBY.