A Gift From My Mother

Hello My Friends,

I am slowly on the mend; starting to feel a little better.  Yesterday, my husband brought me something that really cheered me up!  I have to tell you the story; it is kinda long and has nothing to do with scrapbooking but if you grab your coffee or hot cocoa and sit with me awhile; you might enjoy my Christmas tale.

When I was about 11 years old; Christmas was coming around and the morning television shows were being bombarded with new Christmas toy ads. There was this commercial that would come on that I absolutely hated!  It was for a Francie Doll (Barbie's modern cousin).  I found the commercial and I understand why I hated it so much; it was this woman's voice!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ff2OyUgjrGE check her out...annoying right?  Anyway every time the commercial came on I would comment how much I hated that Francie doll.  Well one of my sisters or brothers decided it would be great fun...a wonderful joke...to tell my mother I wanted Francie for Christmas!

Christmas morning finally arrived after what felt like a million years and I ran down stairs with my 14 brothers and sisters (or however many were home at that time) to discover that Santa had brought me not only the Francie Doll, but the Francie Case and a bunch of Francie Clothes!  I think there might even have been a Francie coloring book!  I stood there in absolute shock and horror!  I wanted to cry!  Meanwhile my mom was walking around checking to make sure everyone liked their presents.  When she got to me; I looked up into those big blue excited but tired eyes and I just smiled and smiled and gave her a big hug.  (After all these years I can still remember what it felt like to put my arms around her waist and squeeze).

So my husband was cleaning out a closet and he found her.  Here she is.

Some of you know that my mom passed away when I was 16 years old.  I am so glad I didn't act like a brat that Christmas morning.  That winter; my mom bought some Barbie doll patterns and started to teach me to sew.  I made the dress that is on Francie; the two dresses next to her are dresses we started but never finished.  They don't have their sleeves (sleeves are hard).  Mom made the coat.  I will never forget the hours we spent at her sewing machine just talking and laughing; you know after all this time; I still can't really sew!  Sorry mom!

So that is my story.  Remember as you rush through this busy Holiday that you are making memories for your children.  Don't worry if you don't have enough money to buy them the latest or best selling toy; they won't remember it anyway.  It is the time you spend with them; the warmth that surrounds them; the total love they feel when you look at them that matters the most at Christmas Time.

Hugs,