Single Wide Trailers Are Not for Santa Claus

If These Heels Could Talk they would say, "living in a single wide trailer makes it difficult for Santa  to fulfill his mission without getting noticed."

I remember being around ten years old and it was Christmas time.  This particular year I suppose my parents had a little extra cash to spend on Christmas and therefore my mother and I made a trip to Roses Department Store. 

We walked through the store looking at all the Christmas decorations and the different toys that they had on display for the children to pitch fits about wanting from Santa. My mom and I strolled the aisles taking a look at decorations first then moving on to the toy section. 

Of course as a ten year old little girl I looked at the dolls,  barbies and play make up.  But then as we kept walking my eye caught the vision of something so magnificent that it took my breath away.   

There it was..... the prettiest bicycle that I had ever seen.  It was purple and white and it had a banana seat with a basket on the front and tassels hanging off the handle bars.  I remember telling my mother that I wanted Santa to bring that to me.!!!

Of course she went through the usual spill about she wasn't sure if I had been good enough that year for Santa to bring such an elaborate gift.  She continued to say that most likely I would be getting a bag of switches.  (well as long as I don't have to pick them out myself was my thoughts)

The next few weeks leading up to Christmas day were excruciating for me. It seemed a life time had passed before the day arrived.    I remember laying in my twin bed at night dreaming about that bike.  I asked my mom daily if Santa was going to bring it to me and every single time her response was, "probably not, Santa has been watching you and you probably will get a bag of switches."  Was I really that bad.??? Oh the agony. 

Now some may not know this but even at ten years old I was a people pleaser and the thought of me making Santa mad, well it just didn't sit right with me. The thought of me getting a bag of switches made me sick.  I didn't want switches. I wanted that bike!!!

As many that have read my stories know, at this particular time in my life  we lived in a single wide trailer.  It had two bed rooms and one bathroom.  There was a front door and a back door, however they were both on the front side of the trailer.  I shared a room with my two brothers.  The room had their twin bunk beds, my twin bed and one dresser with four drawers.  Our room was right beside the living room which was beside the kitchen. 

In the living room we had a wood burning heater. This heater caused great concern with me. I was very concerned with how Santa was going to fit down that pipe.  I guess city kids with real fireplaces never had to worry about that. We had a small Christmas tree about four foot tall that my mom always tried to adorn with the prettiest ornaments. It was placed on top of an end table and in the corner in order to try to give us enough room to function. Needless to say the trailer was not extravagant, but it was home.

Christmas finally came and as with most children I found myself not able to go to sleep. I really tried everything that I could.   I flipped the pillow at least twenty times to get the cold side.  I hummed. I closed my eyes and counted sheep. I went to the bathroom to pee and was yelled at.  I really did try to go to sleep. 

I guess my parents waited until they thought we were sound asleep and then my dad ventured out to his destination.... toy storage....

Within minutes I could hear one of the two front doors squeak open and I could hear voices and rambling of paper.  Then I heard my mom say, "Lawd she is going to be so excited, she done made herself plum sick worrying bout that bike."

What????  Did I just hear what I thought I heard?  I am getting the bike!!!!. After all I am the only she in the house besides my mom and I have never seen her ride a bike. 

Excited as I was, a slight disappointment overcame me.  I knew what I was getting.  But now I didn't want to disappoint my parents by letting them know that I knew.  I could hear it in their voice how excited they were to give me what I had requested.

Now I am in a different turmoil.... How  will I pull off acting like I don't know what "Santa" has brought me.  Morning came and as I sleepily stumbled into the living room I shrieked with excitement at the sight of my new bike.  I was pleased and my parents were pleased.

That was a great Christmas. 

Veteran's Day and TAPS

If These Heels Could Talk they would say, "when it comes to the military service of our men and women I am forever thankful."

As with every year, this year I attended the Veteran's Day Celebration they have at the local Middle School.  I have been attending it for quite some time now since I have three children that have attended or is still attending that school.  This year my seventh grader seemed especially excited for me to attend.  That made me proud. 

As usual as I sit through the ceremony and the various components are presented there are instances when a tear or two will come to my eyes.   I try to fight back any tears in order to avoid smudging my mascara. 

When people ask me about my service I am always proud to tell them that I did serve in the United States Navy as a Hospital Corpsman. Then the next question comes; "How long did you serve." And I always reply, "well I just did my four years." 

I am not sure why a part of me feels as if those four years weren't enough.  I almost feel that because I only did four years, never was deployed and pretty much remained at one duty station my entire enlistment that I somehow am not a true Veteran.

The truth of the matter is that,  I am a Veteran  and I am proud to be called a Veteran.

However I will say this, , I realize that my time served is nothing in comparison to the time served  by countless men and women of our great country.  As I stood there and they called out each conflict in which you stood and received your certificate, I was in complete awe of some of the men and women.  There were some that had served during multiple conflicts, was in the line of fire, had been injured, sent back into the line of fire,  and was still alive to be recognized on this day.  They received their certificate as if they were receiving the Purple Heart. 

I felt a sense of peace and pride  knowing that these individuals paved the way so that when it came my time to serve I had the freedom to do just that and I did it to the best of my ability. 

During the ceremony a young boy was prompted to play TAPS and he did it well.   As with every time I hear TAPS a tear trickled down my cheek.  I looked up in the bleachers and knew immediately that my son would be looking at me.  He was.  He knew that TAPS got me in the gut.  Now prior to enlisting had I heard TAPS, I would not have been nearly affected.  However I know the cost and I know what TAPS represents now and I will cry every time I hear it.

I stood there listening, with hand over my heart, trying to fight back the tears and I thought to myself, "I wonder if this young boy realizes the importance of this piece that he is playing?"

Twenty-four notes. It's a simple melody, 150 years old, that can express our gratitude when words fail. TAPS honors the men and women who have laid down their lives and paid the ultimate sacrifice for the cost of freedom. 

I am not sure that all those children in that gym knew that day what they were listening too. However I know that me and all the Veterans that were present knew.  Freedom does not come without a price.

I am thankful that I made a decision twenty years ago to join the United States Navy.  I learned and experienced things that had I stayed in this one horse town I would have never known.  I also met a lot of people that to this day I still call friend.  Many are Veterans now and some are still enlisted.  I say thank you to them all. 

November 11, is Veteran's Day.  Be sure and thank a Veteran.