Miracle on the Mountain: An Appalachian Christmas began as a Christmas monologue for a church and community gathering organized by my mother, Lucille MacDermaid. At first, I said no when she asked me to give the program—but, as always, she knew I’d come around
I wrote the piece on a long drive to visit our daughter at college, speaking into a mini tape recorder with only a flicker of an idea. That’s when Granny’s voice came to me—inspired by Dorothy Haley, my mother’s cousin and lifelong friend. Her gentle Kentucky accent and quiet strength became the heart of this story
On the night of the performance, I walked into the church wearing an old flannel coat, powdered white hair, tapping my walking stick, and calling for Shep. The story unfolded with memory, music, and laughter.
When it ended, the audience softly sang “Silent Night.” My mother smiled proudly, and Dorothy, with tears in her eyes, hugged me and whispered
Gail Heath is the author and illustrator of several children’s books, including the Accelerated Reader title Inside Me, Sometimes. Growing up as the daughter of a U.S. Air Force officer, she lived all over the world—from Japan, Germany, and France to many U.S. cities—always with a story in her heart and a book in her hands.
A lifelong educator with degrees from Michigan State University and Central Michigan University, Gail’s work has appeared in magazines, anthologies, and newspapers. She has received the Will Rogers Silver Medallion Award and a Santa Barbara Writers Conference Award.
Through her stories, Gail hopes to inspire young readers to be curious, kind, and confident while celebrating the beauty of diversity.
Barabash Sviatoslav was born in Kovel, Ukraine, and discovered his passion for drawing at sixteen. He trained at Odessa Art College and the National Academy of Painting in Kyiv, completing fourteen years of study. A member of the Union of Artists of Ukraine, he has exhibited widely. Inspired by his grandfather, Alexander Manelyuk, a graphic designer, Sviatoslav’s work combines traditional painting with digital art to create vibrant, textured illustrations. For Miracle on the Mountain: An Appalachian Christmas, he captured the story’s warmth and timeless mountain spirit
Inspired by his grandfather, Alexander Manelyuk, a graphic designer, Sviatoslav’s work combines traditional painting with digital art to create vibrant, textured illustrations. For Miracle on the Mountain: An Appalachian Christmas, he captured the story’s warmth and timeless mountain spirit
