Christmas 1956

It was Cold, so cold your cheeks turned red from the cold. It felt good to let the air nip your nose and toes.
I always had a pair of mittens, not gloves, but mittens, I had a muffler and a hat. I had to wear undershirts under my dresses and if it was really cold I had to wear a pair of my brothers jeans, under my dress. (we were not allowed to wear pants) I Protested that one.
Another one I protested was a pair of argyle socks my Mom bought me while I was in first grade. They were so ugly, (at least to miss prim and proper I was a girl I did not want to wear boy colors), They were brown, with a pattern on them. They were very warm. I recall having a tantrum when she made me put them on for school. I always lost and wore the socks to school. So once I was out of sight I rolled them down into a big donut at my ankles, That had to look even worse than a pair of brown socks.
I was stubborn, I can say that much.
If I had to wear the boys jeans under my dress, when I got to school I rolled the legs up under my dress so no one would know I had on boy pants. (That had to look as horrible as the brown donuts at my ankles.)
Imagine that, A skinny frizz haired blond, brown donuts at her ankles, a bunch of something under her dress and no front teeth.
I was a sight I am sure.
Why no teeth? I lost all my front teeth at once. My uncles even nicknamed me Grandma.
But this year was 1956 and I was now ten and a lot more mature.
Right. About as mature as I am now.
I still believe in Santa I still believe in the spirit of the season and the excitement that comes with knowing our greatest gift was given by our Savior.
I ran into the house, Christmas vacation had just began. I could smell the fruit. Mama told me it was my imagination but I have a very keen sense of smell.
I searched anyway but not too closely, I still loved the excitement of not knowing it all. I still do not want to know it all, I want to have illusions of Christmas and a little fat man arriving at my house and leaving a treasure or two.
We had a couple of big weeks ahead. Lots of good food to cook, family to visit, gifts to buy and our Trip into town on Christmas Eve to see Santa Claus. That was the biggest thrill of all, Until Until something happened that night so special, It is burned in my memory.
A beautiful, loving memory.
Read next post to find out more.