(playful chiming music) - [Narrator] Snow was falling quietly that evening.

I could see it, stacking up, inc around the stone porch.

And the world outside was quiet But inside, there was warmth and many, many blessings.

It was Christmas Eve, and to my nine year old mind, it was the most wonderful Christmas we had ever known.

(gentle Christmas music) - Kathy!

(footsteps echo) Kathy, it's time for the present (Papa shivering) - [Narrator] All the church people had sent us gifts.

There were baskets of candy and food on the kitchen table.

And under the tree, there were boxes of clothes.

An overcoat for papa.

It had belonged to Mr. Sims, the but it was almost like new.

- Whoever heard of a Methodist p with such a great coat as this.

- [Kids] No one!

- You look very soft and warm, D How kind of them.

- Yes, my dear.

It feels strange, though.

I've never had such a beautiful I'll wear it to church tomorrow.

Come on, everybody open your pre (kids chattering) - Oh, boy.

- One for me?

- Oh, yes.

- Oh, my.

What have I, here?

Oh, Dan.

Now, how did Ms. Baker know I was so fond of this hat?

How do I look?

- [Kids] Oh, Mama?

- Oh, mama, you're so pretty.

- Oh, and you, too.

- Look, mama.

Papa, look.

- Me too, and a pair of knitting - Oh, mom.

So soft and rich-looking.

I wish it were tomorrow.

We could all dress up for church - Well, I think it's beautiful, It's the best Christmas ever.

- Let's sing Christmas carols.

- [Millie] Let's sing Christmas - Can we, mama?

- Well, of course.

And I'll play the violin.

- Then would you please- - Francis?

Perhaps it would be better if we waited until tomorrow, until you've rested.

- I'm fine.

Please, Dan.

- Well, we mustn't overdo it.

- But it's so special tonight.

It's so special.

(hand patting) - Mommy's gonna play the violin.

- [Children] Mama.

Mommy.

Mama.

(children exclaiming about mama) - Well, what do you want to hear - [Children] Silent Night!

- Oh, it's so appropriate.

- Well, have a seat.

There, now.

Is everybody ready?

- Not yet.

(mama chuckles) - Okay.

- I'm ready now.

- All right.

(violin music) - [Narrator] The moment she tucked the violin under her chin, we'd go quiet.

The same way we were quiet when papa bowed his head in chur The music from mama's violin was just like papa's prayers, something a little beyond us that we couldn't touch or unders but we could feel it.

And it made us warm inside.

Mama played the violin, and papa prayed to God, and somehow, it was all the same (soft violin music) After Silent Night, she played Little Town of Bethlehem, We Three Kings, and all the Christmas carols that we loved.

We sat quietly 'round the tree, and listened to mama play.

It sounded so good to us.

She hadn't played for a long time 'cause she'd been sick.

Papa said she still wasn't well, and that we must be very good to He hadn't even wanted her to get out of bed tonight, but she'd begged, so he finally The clock struck 11, and the mus began to get softer and softer, until I could scarcely hear it.

Lois and Millie were already sou and I was wrapped up in my own Christmas thoughts.

- Oh, you're looking tired, Fran Perhaps it's better if you didn't play anymore tonight.

- Just one more, Dan.

I'm fine.

Really.

(slow violin music) - Papa woke me early the next mo Mama was sick, and he was going for the doctor.

I woke Lois and Millie, and we waited anxiously for word - Medicine I've given her should of some of the pain.

But I'm going to tell you the tr Francis is a very sick woman.

I'll do everything I can.

- Thanks, Doc.

I know you will.

- Papa?

- Oh.

Now, Doc Hillard is doing everything he can, but, but mom is real sick.

Now, we're just gonna have to, to wait and see.

- Papa, what am I going to do?

- Oh, we can pray.

We can all pray, and ask God to do what's best.

Lord, put down on our little fam And in your wisdom, and your goo do what's best for our dear mama Please, Lord, we ask this in you - [Narrator] Mama died at nine o'clock the next morning.

Just as the snow stopped falling Christmas was over, and mama's music was gone forever from our lives.

(violin case snaps shut) - Papa.

Papa, where are you goin - I'll be back shortly.

Are your sisters awake yet?

- The violin, what are you going to do with it?

- Kathy?

I'm going to give it aw Somebody else can make better us - But it was mama's.

It was hers.

- Yes.

Yes, Kathy.

It's gonna be very hard to live without your mama.

I'll never forget her.

But this, I just can't keep it.

Do you understand?

- But it was mama's.

- Go upstairs, and help your sisters get ready for church.

(Kathy whimpering) (calm music) - [Narrator] Time went by, and though we got over mama's de we never really forgot her.

(Lois reciting) Of course, we both thought that little Millie had probably forgotten.

She was so young, then.

I never talked to Papa about mama's violin, and what he'd done with it.

But secretly, her music was always in our hearts.

- And the radiance of the Christ led the shepherds to the manger.

And there lying quietly among th was the little baby Jesus.

And the shepherds knew that he was truly a king.

- Very good.

- Then, when the shepherd speaks out and says his part, and then the choir comes in with Away in a Manger.

Claire's playing the piano, you - She's very talented.

- Yeah, she's good.

She's been taking lessons since she was five.

Of course, I probably couldn't p even if I had taken lessons all - Lois.

Come on.

You just recited that beautifull I'm proud of you.

- Thanks.

But it's a long way from playing the piano, or singi You want me to set the table?

- Yeah.

(upbeat classical music) - Mama used to play like that.

When I grow up, I'm gonna play like that, too.

- Millie, how about going upstai and cleaning up before supper?

Papa will be home any minute, no - Can I color after I wash up?

- [Lois] Sure.

Go on, now.

(upbeat classical music) (silverware clashing) - Can you believe that?

- She remembers.

She remembers s - Oh, Kathy, you think that mayb maybe she could take lessons like Claire does?

- Lessons?

Oh, no.

I mean, you know how papa is abo No, he'd never let her.

(Lois sighs) - But he won't have to know.

We could get the money.

Odd jobs, and all.

And besides, wouldn't it be some if she really could play as well - Yes, it would.

I know what you're saying, but.

- Well then, we've gotta try.

Please!

- Who'd give her lessons?

- Mr. Hanley.

Remember how he and mama would play sometimes?

- Yes.

And they were good, too.

Oh, Lois, I just don't know.

- Kathy, please say yes.

I mean, at least we could try, couldn't we?

- Well, we could get.

Well, it could.

Wouldn't have to ask for it.

- We went the very next afternoo and laid our plans before Mr. Ha - Mostly odd jobs, and all.

We'll work it out.

If you could just give us a payment schedule, it would help.

- Well, and what do you think of all this, Millie?

Hmm?

- I want to learn, just like mam - Ah, now your mama was a very talented lady, and that's what I'm looking for.

Of course, it takes a lot more than just talent.

It won't be easy.

It's a lot of hard work.

But if you really want to, maybe you'll be just as good as Franci - Mr. Hanley, I really want to.

If Kathy says it's all right.

- Mr. Hanley, there's one more t Papa mustn't know about this.

We'd prefer not to.

- Oh?

- Well, you know how hard mama's death was on him, and I think all this might just He'd start remembering again.

We don't talk about it much, and believe me, we don't like to keep things fro It's just, we really want Millie - I understand.

It's unfortunate though, because I do not like the idea of keeping this from him.

But in this case, well, I think Francis would want me to teach Millie, and I think she can be very good How about tomorrow at five?

Eh?

(girls exclaiming) - Oh, thank you, Mr. Hanley!

Tha - She can even use one of my vio Alright, would you like that?

- Yes!

- Okay, now, you be here at five sharp.

Hmm?

- Okay.

- [Narrator] And so it was that began her violin lessons, and Lois and I set out to earn the money to pay for them.

- Round like this.

Okay, little bit more.

There you go.

Now.

All right.

Chin, fine, all right.

Let's get that.

There we go.

Fingers in position.

That's good.

Are you ready for the bow?

- [Millie] Yes, sir.

- There you go.

All right, now that's good.

You have the wood tip towards th All right.

Have a first pull across.

(violin sounds) Very good.

Okay.

Up.

(violin sounds in higher pitch) Higher.

Are you ready to start t - Yes sir.

(soft violin music) - [Narrator] We knew there was a depression going on, but it didn't seem to bother us.

People didn't have money to wast but they were willing to help each other out, and to pay for work well done.

And we were willing workers.

(car engine rumbling) (car honks) (footsteps echo) (door creaks open) - Good morning, Kathy.

- Good morning.

Mrs. Ryan, do you have some chores I could do to earn a little extra money?

- Well, my walk certainly needs Would you like to do that?

I'll give you a nickel to do tha - Yes ma'am.

- Okay, let me get you a broom.

(violin music) (violin screeches) - Oh, we got some fingering problems there, haven't we?

Right there.

Okay, try the last part one more - One more time.

- [Narrator] Millie was a very promising student, Mr. Hanley told us, after only a few months.

Lois and I did raise the money.

We mended.

We baked and sold cookies.

We babysat.

We thought of, and did a hundred (violin music) (loud violin music) The years flew by, and as we gre Millie grew in her love and knowledge of the violin.

Mr. Hanley shared with us a deep sense of pride in her accomplishments.

And we were content that at least one of us had inherited some of mama's musical talent.

Sometimes, our chores seemed end We had to keep up with our own work around the house, and still find time for all of the odd jobs in our neighborhood.

(car honking) (car rumbling) (fast violin music) - Hi, Mrs. Robinson.

I finished dusting, and all the dishes are done.

- Were the children good, today?

- They were fine.

We just got finished with lunch a little while ago.

So, right now, they're in the backyard playing.

(bags crinkle) (car door slams) (coins clashing) - [Narrator] It kept us busy.

Weekends and after school.

But we didn't mind, as long as the lessons were paid and papa didn't find out.

He knew we were working, but he never asked why, or where the money went.

- Why, hello, Ms. Smith.

Garden's looking lovely.

- Thank you, Pastor Davis.

- So glad Lois could help you ou - She's a good girl.

- Yes.

(Papa sighs) - The flower's there?

- Oh, they're fine.

(violin music) - Oh, Millie, that was just love - Thank you.

- Oh, remarkable.

I swear you play better and bett and more and more like your mother, every day.

- Thank you.

- It's a lovely thing.

Well, let me have the violin.

- Okay.

I gotta be going anyway 'cause Kathy's gonna pick me up, and we're gonna go Christmas sho (Kathy laughs) - Christmas shopping!

Yeah, grea - Well, Merry Christmas, Mr. Han - Well, thank you, Millie.

Merry Christmas to you, too.

- [Narrator] By the end of 1936, everyone in town knew of Millie's talent, and shared Mr. Hanley's opinion.

And we knew it was only a matter until papa knew, too.

(upbeat chiming music) - Here, you go.

- Just anywhere, as long as nobody's seeing them.

(girls remarking) - Papa!

- Good afternoon, papa.

- Is it a bit late for you two t - Papa, it's hardly eight o'cloc You worry too much.

- And for good reason.

- Is Lois home?

Mrs. Sims was throwing out this perfectly good Sears robot Oh, they've got beautiful things - And very expensive.

She's in the kitchen doing her h - Okay.

(solemn violin music) - He was asking where you were.

He acted funny.

Do you think he knows?

- Don't worry about it.

- Kathy.

(Kathy sighs) - No, I don't think he knows.

Isn't this just beautiful?

You know, Mrs. Sims ordered everything out of here.

I mean, all of her gifts.

- Must be nice.

Kathy, I'm serious.

You think he knows?

- Well, I don't sit around worrying about it.

Well, tomorrow's Christmas Eve.

- Yep.

- Hey, I think about it, too, but I really think he'd understa - You mean it?

- I know he would.

It's just like, well, sometimes a person has to do thi that other people wouldn't under - Right.

- Well, we both felt that it was that we had to do, and deep down, papa would know t - Just hope you're right.

(spirited violin music) - [Lois] Did you hear that Michael got hit with a snowball?

- [Millie] I did!

- [Lois] Yes.

I saw him, I came back from shopping yester - For Christmas presents?

- Mhm.

- What else?

- Did you get me anything?

- Well.

- No, I know what she got you.

- Oh, you do?

- Oh, that's right.

We were shopping together.

- Papa?

Come help.

- Yeah, papa.

- Oh, you three are doing just f - You feeling right, Papa?

- Of course.

You know I'm not much at decorat - Is everyone ready for some egg I'd like some.

- Yeah.

- Oh boy.

- [Kathy] You two keep it up.

- Papa, come sit over here.

You'll be more comfortable.

- I'm fine, Lois.

Let Kathy sit She can give out the gifts.

- What's this?

- I said you can give out the gifts, whenever we're ready.

- Well, if you're not up to it, Well, let's see what we have her - Kathy, wait.

Wait just a minute.

I have something I want to say to Millie, but, well, I, I want you all to hear.

Millie, I've been told that you play the violin.

- Well.

Just a little.

- Well, I've heard that you play very well.

- [Kathy] Papa!

- Please.

This is between Millie - But papa, it's not her fault.

It's mine.

- And mine.

- How did you two arrange this?

- We arranged for her lessons.

We both talked about it and we just wanted her to have the chance to play.

- I don't understand that.

If it was so important, why, why didn't you take the lessons, - Well, I guess what we're trying to say is that, well, Millie has that special ta Not everyone can play.

It takes someone, someone very special.

- Yes.

Yes, it does.

- Papa, we're sorry.

- Sorry?

- That we didn't tell you.

That we kept it from you.

- Papa, we meant well, it was something we had to do.

We didn't mean to hurt you.

- Oh, Kathy.

- I thought that you would under and then maybe, someday, you'd be glad we did what we did.

We're both very proud of Millie.

And even though we don't talk ab none of us has ever really forgo - I know.

And I don't want you to, ever.

Millie, I've never heard you play the violin.

Would you, would you play something for me?

- Me?

But I don't have a violin.

I mean, I use Mr. Hanley's.

- I know, I know.

But, but if you had a violin?

- Yes, papa.

If you want me to.

- Here.

I want you to have this.

Now, I've taken care of this for many years.

And you must promise to take very good care of it, too, and not let anything happen to i It belonged to your mama.

- Oh, papa.

(violin string plucks) What do you wanna hear, papa?

- Silent Night.

Holy night.

All is calm, all is bright.

(sweet violin music) - [Narrator] And it was.

Outside, the world was cold and but inside?

Inside, there was a strange warmth and peace hovering near each of us.

We had no need for words or expl There was a new understanding am a closeness we hadn't felt in ye And I knew there would be many more Christmases like this.

And mama's music would once again fill our hearts with happiness, and peace.

(violin music) (upbeat chiming music)