Pada tahun 2005, mas Ang Tek Khun meminta saya untuk menerjemahkan sebuah novel karya Donna vanLiere berjudul The Christmas Shoes. Novel ini bertutur tentang seorang pria yang sukses sebagai seorang pengacara namun memiliki kehidupan perkawinan yang nyaris hancur. Ia mengalami perubahan setelah berjumpa tanpa sengaja di Malam Natal dengan seorang anak kecil yang ingin membeli sepasang sepatu natal untuk ibunya yang sekarat. Cinta kasih yang mewarnai kehidupan anak kecil dan keluarga ini menyadarkan pria ini. Kisah yang disajikan sangat mengharukan. Klik di sini untuk membaca resensi terjemahan novel ini.
Novel ini telah dilayarlebarkan dengan judul yang sama. Silakan menikmatinya di bawah ini:
Jika Anda ingin mendengarkan theme song yang dipakai dalam buku dan movie The Christmas Shoes, silakan klik clip di bawah ini:
Lirik:
It was almost Christmas time, There I stood in another line Trying to buy that last gift or two, Not really in the Christmas mood. Standing right in front of me Was a little boy waiting anxiously, Pacing round like little boys do, And in his hands, he held a pair of shoes. And his clothes were worn and old. He was dirty from head to toe, And when it came his time to pay, I couldnt believe what I heard him say.Chorus: Sir, I wanna buy these shoes for my momma please. It's Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size. Could you hurry, Sir? Daddy says there's not much time. You see, she's been sick for quite a while; Know these shoes will make her smile. Want her to look beautiful if Momma meets Jesus tonight.He counted pennies for what seemed like years Then the cashier said Theres not enough here. He searched his pockets frantically Then he turned and he looked at me. He said Momma made Christmas good at our house Though most years she just did without. Tell me, Sir, what am I gonna do? Somehow Ive got to buy these Christmas shoes! So I laid the money down; I just had to help him out. And Ill never forget the look on his face When he said Mommas gonna look so great!Chorus I knew that I got a glimpse of heavens love As he thanked me and ran out. I knew that God had sent that little boy to remind me What Christmas is all about.Chorus in childrens voices Young boy: I want her to look beautiful If Momma meets Jesus tonight.
