NEXT AVENUE SPECIAL SECTION
Sweet Memories of Holidays Past By Michele Wojciechowski
I have wonderful memories of Christmases. Some came from when my husband and I celebrated our first one as a married couple in our first home. But, for me, many come from childhood. I remember when I was in kindergarten, I had one of the most exciting Christmas days. One of the gifts I had asked Santa for was a blackboard. Back then, we loved playing "school." Although my friends and I didn't know that in a few years, we would be longing for summer to arrive as quickly as possible. When I came running down the steps to the living room to see if Santa had come, I was thrilled to see he had! He had eaten the cookies I'd left for him, and the carrot was gone that I left for the reindeer. There, in the middle of the room, was the most fantastic gift of all: my blackboard. It was one with a green background and affixed to an easel.
The best part? Santa had written a note to me in chalk. I don't remember what it said exactly, but I know it said something about my having been good that year and it was signed "Santa."
"The best part? Santa had written a note to me in chalk."
My mom had to convince me that he would think it was okay to erase it so that I could play with it.
At that age, I didn't realize the printing somehow looked exactly like my mom's handwriting.
A Holiday Memory
"I had three grandchildren who were all the same age. When they had barely turned three, we had everyone to our house and asked a friend to come by dressed as Santa to put the gifts out. Grandpa kept them upstairs, reading to them, until I snuck up and whispered loudly that 'Santa is here, but don't tell the kids!' They had to sneak down the stairs and watch. Santa came over and talked to three little kids who didn't really know what to believe. I have this precious memory all on DVD." — Bonnie Moore, Utah
Read more of this story on NextAvenue.org
20
DECEMBER 2024
NEXTAVENUE.ORG
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator