the year the present didn’t come…

This letter was in my local newspaper, The Charleston News and Courier. I loved this story because this Christmas was memorable to her because of what she DIDN’T get… I imagine it would not have made as much of an impression on her had she received exactly what she had asked for…

When I was about 6 or 7, I mailed my Christmas letter to Santa. I wanted a two-wheeler. Nothing else. I had been pretty good that year and thought if I just asked for one thing, got the letter in early, there would be no problem. Financially, however, the year had not been a good one for my father. These were the Ozzie and Harriet days of one income, when mothers didn’t work outside the home, so there was no extra money.

Several weeks later, at dinner, the phone rang. My grandmother answered. Yes, she is right here she motioned to me, “It’s for you Chris, it’s Santa Claus.”Everyone at the table looked up for a second. I took the phone. A voice on the other end of the line asked, “Is this Chris? This is Santa. Got your letter couple of weeks ago and wanted to give you a call.” As my family continued with their dinner, Santa spoke to me for the next few minutes. When I hung up the receiver, I quietly returned to the dinner table. My mother looked at me, “Well … what was that all about?” I told her that Santa explained that I would not be getting a bike for Christmas. I would eventually get one, but not this year. Seemed there were other kids who were supposed to get their bikes last year and didn’t and this would be their year. It was only fair. He asked me if I understood and I told him I did. He said there would be presents. But not the bike.

I felt bad, disappointed, almost wanted to cry, but didn’t. Christmas came and went and before I knew it the school year was about to end for summer vacation. As I was about to leave for the last day of school, my mother instructed me to hurry home after that last class. As I approached the house, I saw my mother standing there with a new bicycle. My new bicycle! I think I rode it every day during the summer months, and fall and into winter, and while I treasured that bike for years to come, I will always remember the Christmas and the bike I didn’t receive.

CHRISTINE EBEL
Charleston, SC