Hannah got so caught up in shopping that she had forgotten she had to sing that night with the holiday choir. It was their last appearance of the season and the most attended. Her parents never missed it, they enjoyed reuniting with old friends. This performance was the one Hannah enjoyed most, it was in the town's outdoor amphitheater. The youth from the town churches were in charge of decorating, every year they came up with something different. This year's theme was "Jesus, The Reason for the Season." Hannah wondered what they would come up with. Quickly, the girls said their goodbyes and Hannah headed out to get ready.
Hannah was getting out of the car when Victoria asked "Mom, who is this gift bag for, the card says its from Mr.Peter Burns? Hannah told her it was the gift from the choir Christmas party's secret Santa.
"You can open it if you want"
Upset at her mom's suggestion Victoria answered
"mom, you know we shouldn't open ANY gifts until Christmas day!"
"Sorry sweetie, you are right, just put it under the tree."
Victoria ran to her room to pack an overnight bag, she had asked her father if he could take her and her brother Christmas shopping for their mom. Hannah saw her packing and her stomach sank; she hated seeing that man. She quickly packed a bag for little Daniel as well.
Hannah arrived right on time for the rehearsal, her mom and dad were already there with little Daniel. Victoria ran towards them, they were going for pizza until the program started. When Hannah opened the door to the rehearsal room all of the choir members had their heads down and seemed to be crying. The choir director motioned for Hannah to come to him. He whispered in her ear, "Mr. Peter Burns passed away this afternoon." Hannah froze for a moment, she couldn't believe what she was hearing; last night he seemed just fine at the party.
"Hannah, we need your help tonight." said the choir director "you know that Mr.Burn's daughter was the one that replaced you three years ago in the song "Believe." You are the only other person that has done that solo. Hannah felt a panic coming on but she knew she could not let the choir down, most importantly she couldn't let Mr. Burns down. She had do it in his honor.
It was a beautiful night, the brightness of the full moon was shinning above the theater. The stage looked magical. There was an illuminated backdrop of the three kings beaming from behind the choir. A light effect with golden stars reflected against the theaters ceiling. The music started, the red velvet curtains were rising as the Choir began to sing, "Oh holy night." Hannah felt a sinking feeling of fear, she knew she could not get away with singing that song with all of the hatred and anger she was bottling up inside. She used to sing it with so much passion as she looked out into the audience to see her husband and kids sitting in the audience. But since the divorce she had stopped believing.
It was Hannah's turn to perform, the spotlight covered her, all eyes were on her. There was a dense silence as everyone waited...
Directing her glance towards the families sitting together and with a terrible feeling of sadness ....She opened her mouth and began to sing.
...We were dreamers not so long ago
But one by one we all had to grow
When it seems the magic's slipped away
We find it all again on Christmas day
Her glance was redirected by a gentle force that she could not explain. She tried to focus her sight through the darkness. Miraculously, her eyes landed directly on her parents and her children. They were singing with their eyes sparkling with joy and with smiles that lit up the night. A sense of gratitude began to overwhelm her with emotion, tears rolled down her cheeks. She truly had everything she needed... With more passion than ever before Hannah took a few steps forward confidently addressing the audience, she sang with all of her might.
Believe in what your heart is saying
Hear the melody that's playing
There's no time to waste
There's so much to celebrate
Believe in what you feel inside
And give your dreams the wings to fly
you have an inner beauty
If you just believe
you have everything you need if you just believe
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