Best Gift Ever Received

[Dixiedoodle]

Growing up my parents did not feel the need to spend money on us kids! They had beautiful expensive clothes, shoes, furniture, gold/diamonds and jewels filled boxes, fingers, necks, ears, they had the best liquor in town, drove only the best/new car. But we were dressed as cheaply as possible-because we would only out grow them or 'mess' them up, had no real toys because when we moved (we moved often) our things were pared down to what we could fit in a suitcase--nothing more.

My oldest brother was 12yrs older than us younger kids, when he was drafted into the army, he sent us (kids ) toys. Mine was a beautiful life size doll... She had the same color hair as mine and extra clothes. He had them delivered, all wrapped in pretty paper and huge hand tied bows, with gold seals with our names printed on them!! I wish every child on this earth could have that feeling just once in their life..

He was the greatest big brother.. I hope he knows and remembers how much that meant to me and the others.. I have sure told him. he always spoiled us... Dixie

 

[debilorrah]

Wow, Dixie, that is an awesome story. Did your parents ever get it?

 

[Bec]

Wow Dixie, that put a big smile on my face! How great you must have felt, what a wonderful brother you have!

The best gift I ever received was my very first saddle. It was an english saddle, not brand new and it had nibble marks on the cantle where the previous owners pony would bite it. My parents had a brass name plate made and they had it put on the back. I was 12 when I got that saddle. I still have it and have only ridden in in a handful of times. I never wanted anything to happen to it because it meant so much to me. My parents didn't have much money, but they scraped up what they could to get me that saddle! I had a saddle that I rode in all the time that was given to me by my riding instructor when we bought my first horse from her. I still have that saddle too but it doesn't hold the same value to me as the other one does.

 

[Dixiedoodle]

LOL, no my parents never 'got' it.. They always talked about us (me and my siblings) that filled their kids toy boxes, closets, bookcases with the best and newest styles and things etc.. How horrible spoiled our kids were! My dad made this remark to my aunt " She spends every minute and every penny she had with those kids!"

And I don't regret it for on second..Dixie

 

[BayCityBabe]

Growing up, we were so poor that I lost my expectation/excitement for gifts. The holidays were super-stressful for my mom. I just don't have the hopefulness that alot of people have of how a thing in a box will make everything perfect. I'm also pretty critical of "Gimme People" who feel that DH 'had better' get me that necklace or the sound system or whatever.
That said, I was absolutely bowled over by last year's Christmas gift:

 

[Parson's Wife]

My children.

They both arrived around Christmas. Ever since, each Christmas is just better an better! They make me the sweetest things. Little love letters (they have to read to you) pictures, crafts....