Tinsel, a Love Story They fell in love squished between rolls of Rudolph wrapping paper and a plastic nativity scene missing its Baby Jesus. He was drawn to her sparkle. The way she shimmies in the reflection of the red and green. How she drapes each limb, silver dancing through the air. She couldn’t resist his gold braiding the fir from its starry crown to its flowing skirt. Tinny elegance cascading the hearth, twisting the staircase, hugging her metal heart. Their romance beat the odds. No longer in vogue, they know they are lucky to shine. That many of their friends are crumpled up with used tissue and ribbon, left out in the cold. When January comes, it’s time to return home, curled together under the bulbs and lights, waiting another year for their love to glow. Heaven’s Day Heaven rises at the crack of dawn. Stretches, breathes, smiles down at Earth. So much to do. So much to prepare. So many to welcome, so few to turn away. She’s called on her angels to pearl the gates, fluff the clouds, size the wings, rainbow the bridge. Ready the names. The sunbather that traded her life for the drowning baby, grandmother who raised nine kids all alone, Golden Retriever that loved the newborn even though she took his spot on the bed, the Special Ed teacher whose students were his kids, the young father who flew off a bridge, soldier split apart by shrapnel, immigrants swimming for their freedom, the mother marching for her murdered son, her murdered son. All the others who did their best, tried to be good. With a twinkling tear, Heaven nods her head, raises her arms, opens the gates, brings them home.
