By Staff
Another Christmas has come and will soon be gone. Each year my family gets bigger but they also move farther away. This year, it will be my mom, daddy, sister and me celebrating the holiday.
But, no matter how small our congregation gets, it seems our family retells the same story every year and it involves me.
The story begins with, ‘Do you remember the Christmas you threw a temper tantrum and got sent to your room?' My fit involved the simple request for a Cabbage Patch doll – remember those?
The one I had requested was beautiful. She had Cabbage Patch red hair that you could brush and get wet – much like a human's hair.
Apparently, as my mom and dad went to the toy store, all those dolls were no longer available. So, to make it right, they had a friend make dolls for my sister and myself. Call them miniature replicas. My doll had blond string for hair and my sister's doll had black string for hair. It was ugly and I wasn't afraid to show my parents that I hated the thing they called a doll.
I threw a temper tantrum, and I was later sent immediately to my room and wasn't allowed to open anymore presents. My parents even threatened to take them all back.
Wow, was I a big brat. It sends chills up my back every time I think about it.
And what makes matters worse is that my dad was in the habit of video taping us unwrapping our gifts. I believe he got the whole tantrum on tape. For some reason, I think that tape has mysteriously disappeared.
So here I am, three years later (just kidding) and I find myself not really wanting anything for Christmas except to hang out with my family in the comforts of my childhood home, being fed by my mom and laughing at my dad as he nods off in the middle of conversation.
My mom always says she feels bad for not getting me much. I think she fears I may throw another fit, but really, there's no need to get me anything.
I'm at that point in my life where if I want something I just buy it myself. So, my requests for this year's Christmas were quite simple.
I asked for a YMCA membership, a gift certificate and a smell good candle. Not much and no doll.
Merry Christmas, everyone!
Mary-Allison Lancaster is the Managing editor of the Brewton Standard. She can be reached via e-mail at mlancaster@brewtonstandard.com.