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| My first 'real' Christmas. Age 14 months. That's me. With Mom. |
I've been trying to remember gifts I have received for Christmas.
I know I received some.
Many, in fact.
Stuffed toys. And the snuggling that ensued.
Lego. Always popular.
Books. Nancy Drew in particular.
Puzzles. Nearly always completed with my Dad.
There was the one year that my parents gave me a small musical instrument. I think they called it a musette.
It had a tiny black membrane that fit into one end and made the whole thing work.
A delicate membrane.
One could put a finger right through it.
Don't ask me how I know this . . .
I clearly remember the year we all got skis.
And the adventures that followed.
And the time my brother gave me a camshaft.
A real camshaft.
As it turned out, though, it wasn't my real present.
He had wrapped it up to confuse me just in case I had caught a glimpse of what he had actually purchased for me.
Moving on . . .
There were things I needed.
Clothes.
Quilts.
And things I didn't.
Tinned Vienna sausage.
And a mounted and stuffed Jack-a-lope head (Google it).
Things I really, really wanted.
A Palm Pilot. (You can Google that, too.)
Video Camera.
And a PT Cruiser. (I got three – all three inches long.)
And things that were just . . . sweet.
Several pairs of slippers.
And at least one bath robe.
I've truly loved them all.
Truly.
They were given with love.
And accepted with the same.
But I have been around for sixty-one Christmases, including this one.
Sixty-one.
Why can't I remember sixty-one gifts?
I know there was at least one per year.
Many times, more.
I guess it's because the memory of family and being together stands out more clearly.
You know, I think that's how it should be.
Love this look back on Christmas memories. I recall getting ice skates or boots most Christmases...and whatever doll was popular. But mostly I remember a messy front room with grandparents and cousins and noise and mom making breakfast for us after all the opening chaos! I hope our kids have such great memories when they look back 60 some years! Great post, Diane!
ReplyDeleteI can see your Christmases! It was always a disappointment when the bin would come out and the collecting of the wrapping paper began. :(
DeleteDefinitely how it should be.
ReplyDeleteFamily is everything, right, EC?
DeleteI've only had 37 previous Christmases, and I can't recall every gift I've received.
ReplyDeleteIn fact, there's one year I don't remember what I got, but I remember what I gave. That was the year I got Caitlin the season tickets to Jubilations Dinner Theatre.
That was a gift that lasted all year!
Perfect!
DeleteI can't remember all my gifts either, the ones that stand out the most was the one I really didn't think suitable. A doll and pram for a girl who'd never, ever wanted to play mummies and babies. Later my first bikini, on the coldest, wettest Christmas morning I'd ever known. And I wore it all day, with goosebumps.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to get my use out of this gift if it freezes me!
DeleteThat's exactly how it should be. But some of those gifts really stand out don't they?
ReplyDeleteThey do! For various reasons . . .
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