I was maybe ten

She was wrinkled and I thought old
but I had not considered God

Her eyes twinkled behind her silver-rimmed spectacles

Was she Mrs. Claus when she wasn’t doing her missionary duty

Her hand was warm and strong

I read her books borrowed from our church library

I instinctively loved her

I was so proud to meet her

To know that she was truly real

I tucked her into my own hiding place

And knew that she would be there
if ever I would need her

Copyright 2017. L.L. Shelton