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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Shopping (03/01/07)
A present for Mama

Christmas was the best time of year for me, a 10 year old boy growing up in the Caesar, MS community. The Second World War had ended or was near an end and things were looking brighter for the folks around our community.

I had wanted to get my mother something nice for Christmas but the money was scarce that year. My Grandpa had occasionally let me sweep his General Mercantile Store for pay that usually amounted to a nickel or a dime.

I had managed to save 60 cents by the week before Christmas. I felt like I was rich. Saturday before Christmas we went to my sister's house in Picayune, MS for our weekly visit. I immediately went to the 5 and dime store just down the street to look for a gift for my Mother. I wanted to get her something real nice and I intended to spend all 60 cents on here. In my eyes she was worth it all.

Everything was so expensive and I was beginning to worry that I could not afford something that she would like. And then there it was, a pin in the shape of a big spider. It was bright blue and in the eyes of a youngster my age the perfect gift!

I brought it home and wrapped it in a big box so that she couldn't guess what I had bought her. I could hardly wait for Christmas morning to arrive so I could see the joy on her sweet face at this wonderful gift. I could imagine her pinning it on her dress and wearing it to Church Sunday morning.

Christmas morning finally arrived. I immediately went to the Christmas tree and handed her the present, which wasn't wrapped to good as you can imagine. She tore the paper from the package and reached inside and pulled the blue Spider pin out. I was beside myself with joy as she pinned it on her dress and gave me a great big hug.

To my joy my mother kept the spider pin and wore it every time we would come to see her. She died at 95 years of age and often wore and mentioned the Spider pin that a 10 year old boy had given her too many Christmases ago to remember.
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This article has been read 1239 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Jacquelyn Horne
03/09/07
Wonderful memory story. Keep it up.
Marilee Alvey
03/10/07
This was a touching memory. How like a ten year old boy! I was so glad your mama was able to wear that spider with pride for her little boy. That's the mark of excellence in a mother, isn't it? She did her job right, God bless her! You had a couple of small grammatical mistakes. Nothing major at all. One final tip: don't put your title in the body of your text because it counts for the word count. That didn't matter this time, but sometime it could! The title will appear above the text, anyway. You did a very good job with this nostalgic story. It's a heartwarming story of the love between mother and son. Having two sons of my own, I could never get enough of that!
Tammy S. Eudy
03/10/07
I love this story, I still have a small brss grasshopper my daughter bought me many years ago, it is one of my prized gifts.
Donna Powers
03/15/07
Such a wonderful story and such a touching ending. I loved this! Keep writing!
Phyllis Inniss 
03/15/07
When we do something nice for a loved one who appreciates what we've done it stays with us forever. Your touching story makes it even more memorable because you were so young. I like the fact that your mother made you happy by always wearing that pin.
Deborah Porter 
03/20/07
Fred, this is what I would call a simple, sweet trip down memory lane. The thought of a little boy sweeping the floor in the store just save up enough money to buy his mom something for Christmas, is so special. No wonder your mother treasured that pin. The heart of your gift was priceless.

With love, Deb (Challenge Coordinator and Editor, FaithWriters' Magazine)