Missouri woman recalls Christmas miracle

When her husband volunteered to drive the float for the 4-H float in the annual Eldon Christmas Parade, Tammi West Jarrett didn’t really give it much thought.

When her 10-year-old stepson had joined the Tuscumbia T-Town 4-H, his dad had basically enrolled with him. The float’s theme this year was “Remember to Give Thanks to Those Who   Give.”

The children/members were asked to dress as those in their lives who gave, and it was one girl’s choice of dress that struck what West said was “a bittersweet chord in my heart.”

She had dressed as a American soldier.

As she looked at her uniform, West was choked with emotions.

Several months prior, she had pinned a star on her son’s uniform when he graduated from basic training.

“This Christmas will be the last Christmas we spend with him, for a while that is. He is Airborne and in the Air Assault Division and will be in Afghanistan for 18-plus months,” she said. “Countries such as these do not typically celebrate Christmas, however, there are exceptions.”

Sixteen years ago, West Jarrett and her three children spent Christmas in a country that did not acknowledge Christmas and where it was forbidden to even mention Jesus’ name, let alone to worship his birth.

“My children were small and suffered tremendously due to my bad decisions which led me to this place - the Sahara - a place where there was not a scarce mention of ‘Merry Christmas,’ and to mention Jesus could get you imprisoned or worse,” she said. “Through a miraculous event, we found ourselves invited to a British/Arab family for dinner, which happened to be on Dec. 25.”

West Jarrett said she was never allowed to come and go as she   pleased. She was always followed by guards. She had never been allowed to wander.

She was outside the home where she and her children lived without the guards, but somehow on that particular day she   managed to go with little supervision. When West and her children arrived at the British/Arab villa, they were greeted warmly, and to their surprise, there was a rather large fern that held small ornaments upon its leaves with red bows tied   neatly upon its stem.

“My children squealed with delight as there were several small   presents wrapped in muslin paper tucked neatly underneath it. The lamb and rice we had for dinner couldn’t have tasted better, and while we were treated to a real cup of English tea, I received another surprise,” she recalls.

While the guard turned a deaf ear, they were quietly allowed to sing Christmas carols and even allowed a short (hushed) story about Jesus. Next came small but mighty presents, items the host had bought on the black market. Toys of quality were rare to find as a strict embargo   and sanctions limited import and export.

But from the smile on the children’s faces and their soft and joyful laughs, West said it seemed as though Santa Claus himself had shopped at Macy’s for the finest of toys and gifts. West says she will never forget that special Christmas day and the kindness of strangers who gave without expecting to receive.   

Although faced with considerable danger, a Muslim family drew her and her American-born children into their home, giving them a festive and safe place to celebrate Christmas.

It was more than generosity, she says, it was an uncommon show of compassion that transcended religious beliefs. One that she will never forget.

“That day, the spirit of Christmas filled the villa as Christmas was celebrated amongst people who did not recognize Jesus‘ birth but whose hearts were filled with goodwill and compassion,” West said.

At a time when the economy still struggles and people find their pocketbooks increasingly smaller, West Jarrett said she hopes people slow down and remember that Christmas is not found in a present or song. Nor is it found in expensive electronics or gadgets or in retail giants, but rather Christmas is found within and sometimes even in the strangest of circumstances and within the hearts of strangers who   unknowingly help a foreigner persevere through great turmoil and sorrow and bring joy to her children; if only for a day.

“We live in a nation with many different religions and nationalities, we should consider extending the spirit of Christmas to those who may believe and/or dress differently than you; but whose heart can still receive the wondrous joys of Christmas,” she said.

If only for a day.

Lake Sun