The "Favorite Gift" Story

It was an ordinary day. We had just finished opening our presents! I know, that's not really ordinary. Got all the things on my list this year. Plus some! Did you? Then I started to reminisce. What gift or gifts are the most memorable for you? I have a few that really stick out and if I can remember back that far, they must really have meant something. My first memorable gift was one my Aunt Doris bought for me when I was nine years old. My Grandma and Aunt Doris lived on Pine St. and when I entered the house, there it was. A two wheel Schwinn bicycle. Beautiful red and white colors. Didn't take long for me to learn how to ride it. It was my constant companion at home on Queen St. Now that was certainly memorable. My next great present was almost as nice, and had the same amount of wheels. My mom and dad got me a three speed bike with hand brakes when I was 12 years old. The latest technology! Out for a spin I went. About two blocks from my house on Ross St. I needed to brake fast. Not ever having hand brakes before, I didn't know the power of them. I pulled on my right hand and the front brake grabbed..........and threw me over the handlebars. MY NEW BIKE! Didn't care about the cuts I had. All I cared about was the scratch on the bike. I rode the bike home, hiding my injuries and never told a soul about it.......until now! Another memorable gift was the set of spun aluminium hub caps my mom and dad got me for Christmas when I was 16. They were a perfect match for my '53 Henry J. What a great look! But, the gift that I will remember forever is the envelope with the $2 bill in it that my grandpap would give to all his grand kids each Christmas. It was all he could afford , but it wasn't the money that made the gift memorable. For five or six years before he died he would have his grand kids line up and pass in front of him as he sat in his easy chair in his living room on South Prince St. When it was your turn to receive your envelope, he would gently hold your hand and tell you to be a good boy or girl for your mom and dad. I'll always remember his caring look as he talked to you. Best Christmas gift ever. And yours? It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. PS - Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Night!