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With the holidays just around the corner I thought I'd share one of my favorite memories

...plus it's one of Mama Kat's writing prompts for this week.

I don't remember how old we were but my sisters and I were all elementary age, the youngest wasn't in school yet if I remember correctly....but we each had told Santa what we wanted the mostest, and like other kids our age we tried our darndest to stay up and sneak a peak of the jolly ol' guy. Of course we didn't make it up long enough, but were up around 6 am.

I got the coveted Barbie house with elevator. {The link is the closest photo I can find to what I remember my house look like. I do think my elevator was purple, but I know I had the accessories that are in the photo.} I loved that Barbie house. Until the night I was having a bad dream and woke up and thought the elevator was a brown bear. It was a cub mind you but I was terrified, and screaming at the top of my lungs. I remember my mom being pretty scared too, because she had know idea what was wrong.

The middle sister was a Purdue University fan, I think mainly because my dad was a huge Indiana University fan, and growing up in Indiana made the two school huge rivals. Well Middle Sis wanted anything Purdue, which I will say was normally banned from our home. She got her wish and got a Purdue rug for her room and some Purdue pencils and paper I think...just some kind of other little goodies. She was so excited that she got something that she knew dad would just absolutely hate.

Mom took a picture of us when Middle Sis opened her new rug and she had a huge smile on her face! Dad was excited because she was so happy. He even was smiling too.

I think the reason that this memory is so special to me is because the photo is buried with my father in his grave. He will take that memory with him always and so will we. At first I was upset with my sister for placing that photo in his casket on the day of his funeral but I understand better know. I think she was truly happy that Christmas day and knew that dad was too. It was sort of a happy ending for her, and way to help her through his passing. I on the other hand thought, "Dad won't want that Purdue picture in his grave with him". But during a time of loss everyone deals with things differently.

It just makes me realize how important parents are in making special memories for their kids. We may not feel it now, but several years down the road the kids will remember the little things that we have done to make them feel special. Sometimes the small things are the most important.

I hope that you and your family have a happy holiday season this year.

11 comments:

tiarastantrums said...

beautiful post

Anonymous said...

My sister had that Barbie house!!! I loved it! (when I was allowed to play with it! lol). She also had one that had sort of triaglular roof. Great post!

Rachel said...

I am jealous over your Barbie House. The year I asked for one, my dad did the Santa shopping. I got the She-Ra castle instead. For men, I guess all plastic blondes look the same....oh well. Congrats on a great post!

Jen said...

this was a beautiful post. I have so many memories from my childhood good and bad. I want this for my children too.
And your Christmas count down, scared me a little. I can't believe its so close.

Weeksie50 said...

TFS. Your memory.. Some of my holiday memories are nearest and dearest to my heart..

Ack. That countdown is scary..

Rachael Schirano \\ Rachael Schirano Photography said...

i wanted that barbie house so bad when i was little! i never got it though :(

what a beautiful post and a wonderful reminder to enjoy each moment!

Brandy said...

What a sweet post and a wonderful memory.

KatBouska said...

You're so right...we all deal with that stuff differently. I would have been like you, "why are you putting THAT in there!?!" but the thought is so sweet and special!

Michelle said...

Barbie house with the elevator. My mom wouldn't buy me one, but my best friend had one and I was so jealous of her. Malibu Barbie was always begging to go over to visit just so she could ride up and down that elevator.

Staci said...

Heather,
I loved your writing assignment!! Your blog is great and I really enjoy being able to stop in and see what's going on with my nieces/nephews/brother and you!!

Love ya,
Staci

imbeingheldhostage said...

what a touching post! Really beautiful.