(This was not requested)
Based on The Christmas Shoes

Daniel's POV

I was waiting in line to buy my mom a gift. It was almost Christmas time. I was 11 at the time. I'd saved up all my money just to get her something. It was my turn next. I wiped some of the dirt off of my clothes and paced back and forth, anxiously. I looked down at the gift in my hand. I thought that the shoes would look great on her, as did everything she wore. I walked up to the cashier and put the shoes on the counter.

"Sir I wanna buy these shoes, for my momma please. It's Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size, but could you hurry sir. Daddy says there's not much time, you see she's been sick for quite awhile and I know these shoes would make her smile and I want her to look beautiful if momma meets Jesus tonight" I watched as he counted the pennies for, what seemed like years. He looked up at me.

"Son, there's not enough here" I searched every pocket frantically, begging for there to be more. I turned to the man behind me.

"Momma made Christmas good at our house, though most years she just did without. Tell me sir what am I gonna do? Somehow I've got to buy her these Christmas shoes" I frowned and looked down. I heard shuffling and looked up as the man handed over more money, enough to buy the shoes. He looked at me and smiled, handing me the box with the Christmas shoes. I smiled up at him.

"Thank you, sir. Mommas gonna look so great" I ran out and to my momma.

~five minutes later-

I walked into my house with the box. I walked into the living room where she lay, bedridden. I walked up to her as she opened her eyes.

"Daniel? What do you have there?" She asked weakly. I looked down at the box then back up to my mother.

"Your Christmas present" I replied, simply.

"Can I see it?"  I opened the box and pulled out the shoes. She let out a small gasp.

"Daniel, sweetheart" I smiled, lightly.

"Can you put them on for me?" She asked. I nodded and slowly put them on. I looked up at her.

"They're beautiful Daniel" she smiled and touched her heart.

"Thank you" I touched mine as well.

"I love you momma" I said walking around to hug her for, possibly, the last time.

"Why don't you go on to bed buddy" my dad said. I nodded and walked over to the foyer, where the stairs were, but stopped in the doorway.

"I feel bad for leaving him at such a young age" I heard mom say. I looked down and walked upstairs to my room, deciding to go to bed.

-the next morning-

I woke up and walked downstairs. I saw my dad sitting by mom's bed, with his head in his hands. I sat next to him and noticed that mom was gone.

"Dad what's wrong?" He looked up at me.

"Your mother went to be with Jesus last night" was all he said, before putting his head in his hands again. I leaned my head onto his shoulder and let a few tears fall down my face.

'Merry Christmas momma'