Page 28 - Giv'er Miramichi Magazine - Christmas Giver 2023

The Spruce

By Doug Dolan

For one child, a large family can be a place of comfort
and security. For another, it can be a source of hurt without
others even being aware. The anxiety can shrink the soul.
John is the eldest son and was the favourite of our
parents. With the recognition, he was also expected to set
an example for his younger brothers and sisters while
keeping up with schoolwork and a part-time job.
Two weeks before Christmas, 1965, Mom called him
into the kitchen, where she was busy making the weekly
loaves of bread. "John, I need you to get the Christmas tree
this year. Dad is away on school business." “Getting a tree”
meant going to the nearby woods and cutting one down.
Quality was not a concern.
John was a bright hard-working young man accustomed
to stepping in for his father. But sometimes, it took real
effort to keep up with the demands on him. He was digging
Dolan Family Home
out the sled when Chris, our youngest brother, appeared. The
eight-year-old was often lost among the raucous behaviour
of his bigger, older brothers. "Mom said I should go with Chris pulled his hood up.
you." Chris offered with little enthusiasm. John knew his It had only been two months since Chris’s elderly
mother's ways - the judge had ruled, and he would comply. neighbour and best friend Jed had died. Jed and his wife,
Snow hit him as he rounded the side of the woodshed. Harriet had warmed to the curious young boy who walked
The wind was from the east. "We are in for a storm," he cautiously into their lives. They had no children and were
thought. The two set out quickly across the snow-covered charmed by his quiet respectful nature. For Chris, these two
field behind our home. adults offered him a welcome retreat from his home where
The snow lay heavy on the backfield, and the path he often felt lost and alone. He and Jed became fast friends,
through was starting to fill in. They climbed over the offering each other what each could not otherwise find. The
neighbourhood sliding hill where a few younger children loss of Jed left Chris feeling increasingly isolated and
were enjoying the absence of the rowdier older kids. They abandoned.
rolled smoothly onto the railway tracks at the top of the hill. "Why don't you guys talk with me?" John was startled
The snow stung their faces as they walked into the wind. and saw his kid brother staring up at him. He struggled for
words. "I guess we figured you say what you want."
“I tried, and nobody listens." Chris's head was bowed; it
was obvious he was crying.
Despite the gathering storm, John sat on the sled beside
his brother. “I didn’t know Chris. I see what you mean.
Maybe you and me can spend more time together and I will
listen, promise. Want to try that?" John asked.
"Yeah, I guess we could," Chris replied, wiping away the
last tears.
"Great! John playfully tapped his brother on the shoulder;
Let's find a Christmas tree!" A gust of wind nearly knocked
him onto the snowbank as he stood up. He put his head down
and charged ahead.
Arriving at the place that John remembered as the tree
stand, the choices were few. Others had found the spot he and
his dad had used for years. "Chris, you stay with the sled and
watch for trains, OK? I'm going into the woods." The area

28 www.GiverMiramichi.com Christmas 2023