We all have lots of Christmas memories, some happy, some sad.
Some we remember more than others. And, some teach us a lesson.
There’s a scene in my mystery novel, Unfinished Business,
where Ann and her older sister, Marnie, are remembering a Christmas from their
childhoods: the year they decided to search their parents’ house, looking for
their presents.
More than anything, Ann wanted a Cabbage Patch doll for
Christmas that year and, in a hidden compartment in the closet of the master
bedroom, she found it. At first, she was thrilled but, as you can imagine,
finding the doll put quite a damper on her Christmas. She ruined her own
surprise.
That scene was a fictionalized version of what happened to me
when I was a child. I wanted a Patty Play Pal doll so badly and, like Ann, I
searched our house and found the doll hidden in my parents’ closet. On
Christmas Day, I had to pretend to be surprised when I unwrapped the doll but
I’m pretty sure my mom and dad knew the truth.
Needless to say, that was the
first and last time I ever went looking to see what Santa or my parents had
gotten me for Christmas. (By the way, since my name is Patricia, I named the
doll Cathy.)
My parents, my brother, me (with Cathy) and my maternal grandfather
|
I hope each of you has a very Merry Christmas and that you make some wonderful Christmas memories this year!