A Special Christmas
©Linda Goodman 12/1983
My very favorite Christmas was in 1983,
when we were living in Bay City, Michigan. Phil and I had just gotten married
that May, and our daughter, Melanie, was eleven years old. It was our first
Christmas as a family.
Not far from us was the tiny village of Frankenmuth.
Visiting that scenic little town was like taking a trip back in time. After 25
years of living in the mild winter climate of Portsmouth, VA, Melanie and I
were having our very first white Christmas.
For the first time, I was able to buy
Melanie everything on her Christmas list (not always a good idea). For myself,
I had asked only for a plush, fluffy robe to keep me warm during the cold winter.
I got what I asked for, but its color was PURPLE! That was not like Phil at
all, as he likes muted colors. I had fantasized the robe as being emerald green
or turquoise. I must admit that I was rather miffed, as Phil knew what my
favorite colors were. Still, my mother had taught me to appreciate whatever
gifts I was given, and I made a fuss over that robe like it was the most
beautiful thing in the world.
I'm glad I reacted as I did. After my faux
demonstration of delight, Melanie shouted, "Dad let me pick it out!"
Purple, I recalled, was her favorite
color. I had once told her that purple was the color of kings.
"You're a queen now!" she
exclaimed.
I wore that robe until hot flashes began
to visit me, just 11 short years later. The robe is still hanging in my closet.
Whenever I see it, I remember how blessed I am to be married to a man who loves
my daughter as much as I do, and treats her with tenderness and
great respect. Phil adopted Melanie on October 31, 1984, when we were living in
Baltimore.
I
would love to hear about your favorite Christmas.
