A Christmas Moment

A Christmas Moment

“What do you want for Christmas?” the man asked.

Jenny was sitting in his lap! Dad had dropped her there! Dad, who was over with Mom now! Jenny was a little scared. Why did Dad give her to this stranger!

He didn’t look like anybody she’d ever saw before. It certainly wasn’t Uncle Bob! Uncle Bob was fun, and he came to their house! This person was funny looking and they were in a store! All Jenny wanted to do is see the toys, but instead she ended up in this stranger’s lap!

A sudden flash made her look out again. Somebody with a camera! Jenny looked at Dad and Mom. They were both smiling! Jenny knew smiling meant they were happy. Mom and Dad were happy that they gave her to this stranger! Mom and Dad must not want her anymore! She looked at the stranger again.

Suddenly she was angry! She didn’t want to be the little girl of this weird red and white person! If Mom and Dad didn’t want her anymore, she’d find somebody else! But… she loved Mom and Dad! Didn’t they love her back?

The tears came swiftly. The loud crying too. Even Santa got nervous! Mom and Dad ran over quickly, picking her up, both trying to sooth her as they backed away. They didn’t get a picture, but Jenny needed them! More important than a picture!

However, they eventually did get a picture! In the morning paper, and also on the daily news! Even the Mall mailed one to them! Jenny’s terrified face and Santa’s panicked one, looking for the parents while trying not to let her jump off his lap!

Jenny pulls out that photo every Christmas, even now, and she’s in her eighties now. Everybody still loves it!