"Christmas Rose" is what she named her (A Christmas Story) - Love over money

[The Straight Story]

So anyway, it was a hard year for us - but that is ok. I knew that this year my daughter would have a plethora of gifts from family, so I was OK with that.

But still - she asked Santa for something he did not have, a doll that talked and did a lot of other things. I just could not swing it this year. And when she got dolls in the past that talked she always got scared of them anyway :)

On Christmas Eve we were at a local mini-mart and she saw this little doll in a package with a blankie and food, and wanted her. I told her daddy did not have the cash right now.

We went home, and I went back out for 'ice' and got her that simple little doll. It's eyes don't open and close, it does not talk. It does not do anything.

Every year as my daughter gets close to sleep she hears Santa's bells and gets up, and gets the gift he brings her. This year was no different.

Except...

She got a letter this year. From Santa. It told her how special a little girl she was, how Rudolph told Santa about her being Rudolph in the school play, and how he had seen her looking at that doll.

It told her that this little doll was all lonely and needed love. And that my little girl was the one he chose to care for her. That she alone could bring that little baby joy, that she could make her happy as before she was alone in a little store.

As my daughter drifted off to sleep she asked me to read that letter again.

"See Daddy, Santa says I am Special!" And indeed she is.

She named her cheap little doll 'Christmas Rose'. And held onto her tight and slept with her. She brought her out in the morning to open gifts. She took her to the in-laws with her. And she made sure she was warm and happy.

She wanted to give love, and feel special. And she got that this Christmas.

It did not cost much. It was what she felt inside that made that little plastic doll so special. And that letter from 'Santa' that made it all work.

She gave from her heart, for that little doll. And someday, I know she will give from her heart for so many others.

She got a lot from relatives, God bless em. But the one thing she clings to and sleeps with is not the Barbies and such, but that one little baby that needs her.

God bless the children, cause they sure as hell care a lot more than some adults in this world. And they don't need money to do so.

[no_hypocrisy]

1. Thank you for sharing your story.

It made my day.

[Marrah_G]

2. you made me cry dammit

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. My dear Straight Story...

Your daughter is like her parents: a loving, giving person...

You have done right by her!

K&R

:loveya:

:hug:

[The Straight Story]

4. She is a giving little girl

And not jaded by life as I have been. I revel in her simple view of things, and it always reminds me of what I should be - while I sit trapped at times in what I am.

She has taught me more than I have taught her, and I hope someday I live up to what I wanted to be instead of what I am.

Years of death and problems have robbed me of who I am, but years now with her have given me the gift of what I once was.

I hope to be as good a man some day as my daughter is now with her heart. She has given me more this Christmas than I did her.

And that makes this a truly special Christmas.

[Berry Cool]

5. Indeed.

What a wonderful story. Thanks for sharing it with us.

[laylah]

6. What a lovely story!

Thank you so much for sharing.