Christmas time in Las Vegas is relatively the same as any other place except it never snows here. Well, maybe twice in the past 10 years. T his incredible story takes place in the wee hours on the 6th of December 1998 which was one of those days it snowed and all you'll need to understand this tale is to believe in the Christmas spirit.
The red coated doorman had finally motioned for Alex to drive up and load on this cold December night. The couple waiting with the doorman appeared to be children and carried bags filled with souvenirs. The doorman helped them into the taxi, and as they settled into the backseat they giggled. The air inside the taxi filled with the fragrance of candy, peppermints, and the couple were dressed in festive holiday clothing of shiny green coats and velvet red slacks and both wore wool knit caps.
"Hello taxi cab driver, I am Kappa and this is my wife Tinka. Can you please take us up to the lodge at Mt. Charleston?"
A little too early for Christmas, Alex thought. He asked," Its kind of late to be driving up the mountain don't you think? And besides I heard it snowed there earlier tonight we might need tire chains to travel up the snowy mountain road."
Tinka smiled politely at Alex then replied, "The roads will be fine my dear please don't worry."
Alex turned and looked into Tinka's bright shiny eyes and sensed what she said to be the truth. "And why are you going up to the lodge at this hour?" he asked.
Kappa explained to Alex that they were to meet Santa Clause near the lodge on top of Mt. Charleston, which of course left Alex baffled; just maybe he shouldn't have given the couple a ride, he thought to himself. But he listened to Kappa speak as he drove along the long road. He enjoyed the sound of Kappa's voice and found the conversation amusing.
"We've been so busy this year because there's been so many good children that we had to start working extra hard making toys; things began to overwhelm us," Tinka added, "Kappa finally suggested we come to Las Vegas for a two-day rest and we did. Of course when Nicolas, uh I mean Santa found out, he was furious and immediately called us on our long distant walkie-talkies. He said he's coming to pick us up, PERSONALLY!"
Alex grinned and looked over at the strange cell-phone Tinka had showed him." That's one amazing device you have there," he said. "And that signal reaches all the way up to the North Pole, truly amazing".
Kappa added, "These will transmit anywhere in this entire world, but only on Christmas Eve or in when an emergency arises; like us disappearing as we did."
Alex then told the couple about his six year old daughter Natalie and how she'd wished every year for a white Christmas so she could make a small snowman in the front yard. "Hey do you think you can ask Santa to make it snow down in the valley where I live for Christmas."
Kappa and Tinka both giggled with glee, then Tinka said to Alex, "Santa's not in charge of weather Alex that's for the Snow Angels to decide."
"Snow Angels," Alex laughed, "Come on now."
Tinka and Kappa stopped giggling and became serious, she explained, "Have you ever seen that classic old movie where the mother told the daughter, every time you hear a bell an Angel gets its wings? Alex, that's true, Angels do exist and those are the Snow Angels. You see when someone has died their spirit stays lingering on Earth until they hear a bell which tells them it's time for them to become an Angel. During Christmas, some become Snow Angels."
Alex's face glowed with excitement, he asked, "That's why people make Snow Angels in the snow?"
Kappa's cheeks turned red with laughter and he told Tinka to continue, "Tell him about the wonderful magic the Snow Angels bring."
"I'm coming to that dear," Tinka said. "You see Alex, when children play in the snow and make snow angels, the real Snow Angels become so happy, that they gather near the children. And it's during this time that the Snow Angel's are said to show them favor."
"Like wishes?" Alex asked. "Like a Christmas wish? So if I want it to snow for Natalie, all I have to do is ask a Snow Angel?"
Tinka replied, "If you believe hard enough Alex and the Snow Angels hear what's in your heart, I'm sure they'll show you favor as well. After all it's going to be Christmas pretty soon."
The roads were passable just like Tinka had told Alex It had snowed all night and the snow covered all the trees and hills. Everything was white even the clouds, everything except the road. They had arrived at the lodge and both Kappa and Tinka hugged Alex. They said good-bye and wished him a Merry Christmas. Alex drove his taxi down the side of the mountain and thought of everything Kappa and Tinka had told him. He asked himself, "Do you really believe in the Christmas spirit?"
Alex pulled the taxi to the side of the road and walked onto the snow. He lay on his back and extended his arms waving them to form a snow angel. He felt silly doing this and started laughing out loud. He shouted up to the clouded sky, "Are you watching me Snow Angels? Let it snow for my daughter! LET IT SNOW FOR HER!" He then ended his wish with a soft whisper, "Please."
He jumped back into his taxi and sped down the mountain. He felt so emotional inside which made him feel good. He was happy and couldn't wait to go home and tell Natalie.
A few hours later….
Alex helped Natalie build the snowman in the yard. "I can't believe it snowed Daddy," she said, "Can we make Snow Angels too?"
Alex smiled, "Sure we can."