• She moved through the stores swiftly, happily choosing gifts and cards for each member of her family and all of her friends, she had no worries at all, no need to panic about the state of her home, no cause to panic when she saw an old box being cut up and thrown away.

    That girl in the summer dress just went along her merry way, wishing a merry Christmas and a happy new year to each who crossed her path, never once stopping to wonder if she had enough time left to get it done, the fleeting thought of Christmas dinner did once cross her mind but a smile later she’d remember that it’s not her turn to get the main meal.

    Crossing the road, she was narrowly missed by a speeding car that had run a red light, even that fright was not enough to dampen her Christmas spirit. Many people laugh and sing through the roads and alleyways as December 25th approaches, bags filled to the brim of toys and gifts both expensive and popular as they tramp through the hot, humid concrete jungle of town.

    Every once in a while, I see the odd looking grimace as people young and old stroll past my dwelling, not caring at all for the tattered looking child in the rags and the blankets. I stand after a while, and follow the young girl in the summer dress. Head and shoulders bowed as I do so, ignoring all the dirty looks from the people in their finery as I stride less than confidently after the beautiful girl in her dress.

    I look up as I hear a door slam closed a cheer of welcome ringing after it. I look around and notice that the girl is now gone. I run to the voices and peer in the window, watching as this family put the finishing touches on their tree and placed gifts under its lowest boughs. I turned and slid down the wall, huddling against my legs with an aching and empty heart, knowing that once more I would not be with a family this Christmas.

    Spirit of Christmas? There is no such thing for those who live so close to the streets.