A Christmas Pony for Lauren

As promised---here's my first Christmas story. Most of what I remember of childhood Christmases is because of pictures. My mom has dedicated an entire binder to all..and I mean ALL..of our Christmas memories. So, without further ado....here's one entitled "My Little Christmas Pony"

One year that Eric was in the Marines and stationed in California, I simply couldn't wait for him to come home for Christmas. He had made his appropriate arrangements and the family was excited to have him home for his leave. I couldn't have been any older than 10 0r 11 at the time so the details have somewhat escaped me.

That Christmas Eve, we had Grandma and Grandpa Whear over for dinner. My mom had slaved all day over the stove making gourmet meals for the family, being sure to include one of Eric's favorites--shrimp drink. I despised the drink myself, but truly it wouldn't be Christmas without it.

Dinner was lovely and especially since my biggest brother was there to enjoy it with us. He was sure a handsome devil, I thought, and for some reason, as much as I loved having him home, I was a bit frightened of the tough-buff Marine. I didn't talk much to him directly in fear that he'd tell me to drop and do 20, but of course that never happened.

As was custom, it seemed, after dinner, one of the adults, most likely mom, suggested we take a drive around the neighborhood to see the lights. We piled in Grandpa's mini-van and hunkered down for a long, slow, and repetitive drive. Long because apparently we couldn't miss ANY of the lights and at each house, no matter if we'd just seen a string of white lights, everyone "oohh'd" and "awww'd." Slow because grandpa drove slow and we crept our way up the roads as if stuck in molasses. Repetitive because I swear we saw many of the same lights and decorations over and over and over.

We came home and to our, mom and dad said that we could each open one present before getting into bed. This, I am pretty sure, was the first year that happened so it was a pretty big deal. After we had all chosen one gift to open, mom let me go first. I had picked out my present from Eric. I had waited so long for him to finally be home so I thought I would open his present as a symbol of that wish.

I ripped open the paper and anxiously awaited seeing some sort of packaging indication of what the present was. When I saw that sign, I was completely and entirely excited. Eric had gotten me a new My Little Pony with cool tricks and pretty rainbow colored hair. If I remember correctly, it was a peach color and had a butterfly on the side of it's gait. I had always loved My Little Pony and was so excited to have a new one to add to my collection.

We said our goodbyes and goodnight's to Grandma and Grandpa and then anxiously made our way to bed. I couldn't bare leaving my precious new pony downstairs so I brought her up in my room with me and held her tight as I drifted into sleep. Eventually, I think, I woke up just long enough to set her on my nightstand...and there she remained for a few years. I never played with her, I don't think, because I wanted to preserve her perfect nature and have it as something I could remember my brother by while he was away.

It was my favorite gift that year.

Now, however, I don't think that pony is anywhere to be found.

Like most things, it's the memory that lasts the longest.

Merry Christmas-week to all of my readers. I hope you have a great week.