The temperature was 84⁰ in Miami this winter. But somehow for the Hyde family, this Christmas was definitely going to be a little colder than the last. Jeff Hyde was an expert in selling new cars. An employee of the year for a record five years at one of the largest Chrysler dealerships is no easy task, but somehow Jeff Hyde had pulled it off. Back home, his wife Nancy was waiting for their two kids to be dropped off at the bus station. Luckily, Nancy's job at the Miami School District has allowed her to see the kids safely on and off the bus station every day. The family of four was getting by just nicely.



It hit Nancy that Christmas was only six weeks away during the middle of her monthly manicure / pedicure with her best friend Donna. Nancy and Donna joked that if they did not get started soon, they would be trying to find gifts for the family at midnight on Christmas Eve. For Nancy it was more of a half joke, as she prided herself on her uncanny ability to find the perfect gift for each member of the family. Little did she know that this time around she would really be able to choose a winner.

Thanksgiving came and went as it always did year after year. Every person of the Hyde extended family ate their fair share of turkey and potatoes and slept peacefully while watching football in the family room. The matriarchs of the family were clipping out coupons and planning tomorrow's shopping fiasco known nationwide as Black Friday. Nancy and Donna had first planned the trip at the nail salon and each had decided to bring their families along for the marathon shopping that took place from dawn to dusk. After it was all said and done, Nancy had another great day of shopping under her belt. For her two sons, she was able to afford the newest video game package with her husband's much needed bonus. Not to mention the new wardrobe that she got on sale for 50% off. For her husband she added to his collection of miniature cars that were modeled off the real life cars that he sells every day. All in all it was a good day. She came home and indulged in fudge, turkey and potatoes (in that order). She never thought that leftovers could taste so good.

The beginning half of December went by as it normally does this time of the year. Nancy and the kids begin winter in one week and already running off the wall at the thought of it. Presents are beginning to be wrapped and placed under the already decorated Christmas tree. Life is good for the Hyde family. The evening of December 17th was playing out just like all other December 17ths have in the past – the family finishes up dinner and then settles in the living room around the Christmas tree and sit in front of the glow of the television watching Christmas favorites. At the point when at least the family is asleep is when Nancy knows to get everybody tucked into bed. The boys slept peacefully and right as Nancy thought she was going to drift Jeff sit straight up, turned the lamp on, and gave a look that Nancy has only seen once or twice since she has been with Jeff.

The dealership where Jeff worked was closing the doors after 40 years of selling American made cars and trucks. He found out that night as they were closing down. That was not the worst of it either, there was no money left to offer any severance pay to any of the workers. Nancy and Jeff had made it by the last 15 years they were together with the income from both of their jobs. But now as the two of them lay in bed trying to sleep after briefly talking about where they were going to do in the next coming weeks, Nancy knew that on her teacher's salary that it was not going to be pretty.

The family dinner that Christmas Eve was not as gleeful as the past ones, but no one really complained. But as the silence was getting so thick you could cut it with a knife, Jeff excused himself to his room earlier than usual. Nancy followed but the door was locked. She went back to do the dishes and put the food away. Now that it was time to drive her Grandfather home, she stopped at the bedroom door to see how Jeff was doing. Nancy could tell from Jeff's red eyes that he had been crying. Something that Nancy has never seen Jeff do. Nancy left to take her Grandfather home, and on the way back stopped at the gas station to get enough gas to get home. As she went to pay, Nancy decided to get Jeff a few lottery tickets as stocking stuffers. Something that Jeff had stopped purchasing since the Chrysler dealership had closed down. Nancy was happy to see that when she arrived home Jeff was successful in getting the kids settled down and in bed. The two went peacefully asleep for some much needed shuteye.

Even with the job loss, Christmas went off without a hitch. The kids were glued to the television playing on their new video game system. And Jeff was content with his fudge. Nancy was content with herself in her gift choosing this year. Not a great one, but not that a bad one. Just as Nancy was getting ready to begin lunch the boys pointed out that they had not opened their stockings yet. One by one the stockings were emptied.

The story ends here. Jeff did not need to scratch three 7s to know whether he had won. Deep in his heart, Jeff knew success is not monetary, especially around Christmas. To have a lucky Christmas, all you need is love.