A Memorable Gift

I was in grade four or five, and we lived in Regina. At the Woolworths in the Golden Mile Shopping Plaza I saw these hot pink dresses with scarves. They also came in yellow, but I loved the hot pink ones. It was the only thing I wanted for Christmas – the hot pink dress from Woolworths. (Me, wanting a dress. Can you believe it? Anyone who knows me is scratching their head at that one.)

About a week before Christmas, Mom asked me if there was anything else I wanted for Christmas. You see, she explained, she had gone to Woolworths but they were sold out of the hot pink dresses. She could get me a yellow one, if I liked. Or was there something else I wanted?

My face fell. My heart stopped beating, I was sure of it. No, I didn’t want the yellow one. It was okay, I lied. I could tell she felt bad, and I didn’t want to make her feel any worse.

Christmas morning. I tried to be excited, really I did. All I could think about was what I wouldn’t be getting – the hot pink dress from Woolworths. We always got some type of clothing for Christmas, so I wasn’t surprised when I got the wrapped “obviously clothing” box to open.

AND THE ACADEMY AWARD FOR BEST ACTING GOES TO…  my mother! I let out a squeal. It was the dress! The hot pink dress! The hot pink dress with a scarf from Woolworths! My mother had lied to me! Who knew mothers could lie? I rushed to put it on, even before opening my other presents. From the depths of despair to the height of ecstacy… a merry Christmas indeed.

The braids and bows were my mother’s idea, but what the heck – I looked fabulous in my hot pink dress from Woolworths!

Care to share your most memorable gift? I’d love to hear it.