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		Story Alert: Spoiled / New Art Available
		</b><br><i>Sent: 12/20/2025 5:18:12 AM</i></font></td>
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Spoiled? You decide.

Jan's Kdg pic <https://my.faso.com/viewer/?id=75586/4172457> 

Me...little....who'd a guessed.




Hi Subscriber,




Time for a story, this being the last Saturday before Christmas and
all. Enjoy!




"Spoiled!"

(excerpt from Memoirs Of A Lastling).




Mama did something the year I turned seven that was completely
uncharacteristic for her. She ASKED me what I wanted for Christmas.

Usually, she just bought or made something in duplicate and gave the
same thing to Kathy (3 yrs older) and me.




The year before that, it was a dress with puffy sleeves. Kathy got the
deep red calico and I got......green. Ugh! To a six year old who hated
green and loved pink it was like a death sentence, seeing how I was
expected to actually wear it AND be grateful at the same time.




I was conflicted over it though, seething with jealousy one moment and
ashamed of myself the next for feeling so.




But now was my moment. This chance might never repeat itself. So I took
a deep breath and rattled off a well-rehearsed list of Christmas
morning wishes.




"A table and chair set, teacups with saucers, dishes and silverware, a
doll big as me that can walk when I hold her hand, and....."




"Whoa there," Mama said, stifling the chuckle that rose in her throat.
"There's no money tree in the backyard, but maybe we can get....some of
that."




My heart sank.




But not because I wasn't going to get everything I'd listed. I really
didn't expect that. It was because at this tender age, I already knew
how hard Daddy worked just to keep us all fed and clothed. 




The hot flush of regret made its way up my neck and across my
cheeks....regret that I'd spoken so recklessly. What right had I to ask
so much. I nodded my head to Mama without looking up and climbed the
creaky wood-slab steps up to our attic bedroom.




I got through the next two weeks, determined to be grateful for
whatever landed under the tree that year. Yet secretly I hoped that if
it had to be just one thing, it would be that doll.




In the meantime, I watched my mother bake pies and my sister, Phyllis,
make clothes for a friend's new baby. I could sit for just eons
watching them both.




As Mama's baking filled the house with tantalizing aromas, little
gingham dresses and sunsuits with tiny snaps and buttons and lace-edged
Peter Pan collars magically took shape in Phyllis's deft hands. 




Every now and then they would stop to admire their work and ask me what
I thought whenever they caught me staring.




Quite suddenly it was Christmas Eve and boxes had appeared mysteriously
under the blue spruce tree in the dining room. I examined the tags on
them excitedly...at first...




My name was not on ANY of them!




My heart raced. I'd gone too far....been too greedy, and now I was
getting what I deserved....nothing.




I sat glassy-eyed through dinner and went to bed quietly for once,
laying on top of the nubby chenille bedspread, despite the freezing
cold of our poorly insulated attic.




I awoke in the quiet hour before dawn and crept down the steps, still
shuddering from cold and intending to toast my backside at the heat
register. 




Same boxes as last night.




As I stared into the tree lights, I noticed a flash of something blue
reflected in the window.




There in the corner on the other side of the sparkling tree was a
child-sized blue table and chairs. Each place at the table was set with
dishes and shiny plastic silverware and a pretty little teacup and
saucer.




And there in a blue chair sat a doll as tall as me with little gauzy
thin white socks and shiny black shoes. 




Then my glistening eyes widened in disbelief...




My longed-for curly-headed me-sized doll was wearing a yellow gingham
dress with tiny buttons and a lace-edged Peter Pan collar.




Jan Dale

©2025 All rights reserved




  _____  

Thewayhome-59-Pntg <https://my.faso.com/viewer/?id=75586/6362458> 

"The Way Home" Quiet Places #59

Homefires-Pntg-60 <https://my.faso.com/viewer/?id=75586/6362459> 

"Homefires" Quiet Places #60

These two cabin snow scene paintings are ready for new homes. 

I can't guarantee shipping to arrive before Christmas, but close. And I
can hand deliver if you live in the Detroit Metro Area.




Each measures 3" and a little over 5" with the easel-back frame
(included). Each is $59 with your subscriber discount.




Click HERE <https://youtube.com/shorts/Cx4Oz9p9gzw>  to see a 10 second
video that shows off the sparkle.

Would you like one..or both? They'll go to the first person who claims
them.

jan face <https://my.faso.com/viewer/?id=75586/3837513> 

Merry Christmas!

May the days ahead be filled with grateful song.




Merry Christmas!




Jan




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