Dear Reader,
This Christmas my husband and I started a new holiday tradition. We were inspired by an article in the newspaper. The folks at a local community outreach program, were looking for people to "help Santa" by sponsoring kids for Christmas. As I was reading about the program, I recalled my mother mentioning a few years back, "If it hadn't been for your Grandma and Grandpa Hale, there would have been several years when there wouldn't have been many presents underneath the Christmas tree."
And so my husband and I went shopping for two young girls. Each of the children listed in their letter to "Santa" the top three things they wanted for Christmas. One of the lists read: "A bike, fidget toys (I had to Google that one) and new shoes."
It was the most fun I've ever had Christmas shopping, and it was a good thing we started early, because the selection in the stores was slim. Many shelves were already bare. But we did snag the last 16" girl's bike on the shelf, and my husband had a lot of fun putting the bike together. (And yes, we bought a helmet, too.)
I was surprised to see shoes on the list. So of course if a girl wants shoes, she must want more than one pair, and then you need new socks, pants, tops, a dress with matching tights, pajamas, a couple of sweaters, barrettes, a necklace and of course a jewelry box with a ballerina twirling around and music playing when you open the lid. (I used to have one when I was a little girl.)
Shopping for two little girls, it was a mighty fine Christmas, because Santa brought "us" the best gift of all.
Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.
Suzanne Beecher
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