by Cait Foster
Hi Boo! Here is my Christmas story. It’s a true one, I hope you’ll like it.
It’s amazing how something that your child does can break your heart so much. One of my friends told me that the first time her three year old punched her in the face she went to the bathroom, locked herself in and cried for twenty minutes. Another told me that the first time her daughter told her that she hated her, she died a little inside. So with those stories I can only imagine what I did to my mother on Christmas day when I was five years old.
I remember being so excited that it was Christmas morning. My sister and I rushed down the hall to our fake little Christmas tree and gawked at all the gifts that surrounded it. So many were from Santa, but there was a few select ones, always the best ones, that were signed by my mother. We saved these ones for last. I can’t remember if it was because that is what she wanted, or that is what we chose to do, I just remember opening those ones with the prettiest paper last.
We ripped through our stockings first, then our little gifts, then our big gifts. Everything was wonderful to a five year old. Even the clothes which I had no interest in were nice to look at. When we were done we were surrounded by piles of crumpled paper, crushed boxes, broken bows and tangled ribbon. We sat patiently waiting for our final gift. The loveliest ones of the whole group, with Victorian wrapping paper covered in roses and little girls in white dresses and curly-cues. The ribbon was a dusty pink velvet-like ribbon, and in the knots my mother had tied fake Baby’s Breath. A pretty little card covered in sparkles topped it off. It was a picture perfect gift, and I tore into it like a baboon on a gazelle carcass.
My sister had hers open first. It was a magical little Precious Moments plush doll. She was dressed in a burgundy dress with a gray hooded cape. On her hand rested a blue bird. She stood on a stand and when you wound up the base she would play music and turn. I was in love with it. She was so beautiful, and seeing what my sister got, I anticipated something even better.
My bubble was popped though as soon a I ripped off the final shred of paper. I too had received a Precious Moments doll, but mine was quite different. She was in a bikini with a water toy around her waist. She had goggles on her head, and didn’t play music like the other, she was more of a rag doll.
Instantly I was appalled. I broke into tears. My mother, bless her heart, had no idea why I was so upset. I began to scream with vigour, “I hate it! I hate it! I HATE IT!” My mother scrambled to get a hold of the situation but it was too late. I was in full tantrum mode and she could not understand why. In my final act of expressing my disgust, I picked it up by it’s nose, pretending like it was a piece of garbage. Unfortunately the nose was only lightly glued on, and as soon as I did this, the doll fell, leaving me with that stubbly little nose pinched in my fingers.
“That’s it!” my mother roared, “Go to your room!“
“Way to go Caitlin. You ruined Christmas.” My sister chimed in.
Off I stormed to my room to pout away the rest of Christmas morning, as my mother sat in the living room with what I am sure was a broken heart.
* * *
I couldn’t help but recall this incident as my friends told me their Mommy Horror Stories. Suddenly I felt so much guilt that I ran to the phone and called my mother. As she picked up I was already pouring apologies out my mouth, hoping she would forgive me for my tantrum twenty years prior.
I could hear her chuckle on the other end, as she said “Oh Hunny, you were just little. The only thing I don’t understand is why you were angry enough to rip off her nose.”
I went on explaining to her the reasoning that was in my little five year old brain at the time.
She giggled again and told me why she had chose that particular doll for me that Christmas. “You had just started swimming lessons, and I was so proud of you. I wanted you to have something to remember your big accomplishments.”
I smiled with tears in my eyes and told her, “I’ll always remember that gift mum. Now I know it was the best gift ever.”
Very touching story! Got tears in my eyes. Thanks Cait!
Wow, very touching story. Great that you eventually called her and explained, Cait.
What a sweet story. I love it. I hope mums who read this will be able to understand it when something similar happens to them now.
That’s such a sweet story, I’m glad you were finally able to see it from your mom’s viewpoint
You are an awesome writer Cait! You should frame that story and give it to your Mom for Xmas.….….….would be one of the most heart warming gifts a Mother could ever receive!
That is such a wonderful idea FreebieChick
GREAT story Ciat
I loved it! I agree with the above — you should frame this story and give it to your Mom as a gift. As a mom, I would love it!
*Tears* Thank you so much for sharing… This is what makes every day of being a mom worth it… Stories like this.
Wow that really is a great story. Thanks Cait.
I think I am going to call my Mum just to say I love you!
Freebie Chick that is a wonderful Idea too.
Very sweet story Cait. Thanks for sharing it!
I remember one year when I told my mom that my friend’s mom’s tree was nicer and after I felt so bad cause I’m sure it hurt her feelings.
Excellent writing style, your story was so vivid that we all feel we were there with you on that Christmas morning.
Wow, have you ever considered writing a book??? you should, that was written so well!!! Excellent!!!
awwwww.….…..you made me cry!
Wonderful story.…sniff…where’s my hanky?
Great story!
Well, I’m boo-hooing here, too! Beautiful story, wonderfully told — thanks for sharing that memory with us!
We have good intentions as parents, sometimes not realizing that children don’t see the world the same way as we do..
*sniffle*
VERY nice story and touching
Very touching Cait!
That was a great story. You are a very talented writer. It was very heartwarming.
Beautiful. The best so far.
Sniffle.. I’
ahhh Cait, love the story thank you for sharing
just beautiful, i felt like i was right there in the living room watching the whole story unfold. the ending made me laugh and get a little weepy at the same time. wonderful writing!
What a touching story. …and as a mother I understand those hard choices in buying for your children. I have two girls close in age[now 24, just turned 26]& your damn if you do, damn if you don’t buying them presents. They don’t want the same, even if it’s a different colour, but if this one got this & that one that…well you know. They always liked what the other had. Alas…it’s not easy being a parent. Sigh!
Beautiful story, brought tears to my eyes
Well written, even moreso because it was so personal.
Loved the ending.
I laughed with tears in my eyes through your story. Thanks for sharing. I agree — I loved the ending too.
Wonderful!! thanks for sharing!!
Great story Cait! I can think of many things that I did in my younger years that only now that I’m a mother I feel badly about doing to my Mom. Youth is wasted on the young! Very well written and a joy to read.
Touching story, brought tears to my eyes. <=)
That’s a lovely story. It’s a great reminder that Christmas isn’t about the gifts — it’s about the people you’re with and the way they touch your life. Thanks for sharing.
I love this story .… thanks for sharing!!!!!
I’ll make my daughter read it. It is so great.
Thank you
wow that was amazing and your an awesome writer! thanks for sharing!!
Touching story that I can so relate as a mother…just had a heartbroken time during this past Thanksgiving with my daughter…Your story made me feel hopeful in 20 years time when she grows up!! Thanks Cait!
OMG…That really choked me up Cait!!! Merry Christmas to you and yours!!!
Beautiful story, Cait! Thank you so much!
awwww.….
WHat a great read. Thanks for sharing:)
Thank you for the very touching story Cait!
Hope everyone will have a great holiday! =)
Well written, thank you for sharing. Now that I am a mother, I am amazed how often I think about how I behaved as a daughter.
Why do I see the same thing happening to me this xmas. I think my daughter and you have the same tantrums in common. LOL
Wal-Mart’s Road to Sustainability:
Paved with False Promises?
China Labor Watch
July 27 th, 2009
http://www.chinalaborwatch.org/20090727walmart.htm
Facing consumer scrutiny, Wal-Mart has established a number of corporate responsibility standards, enforced through factory audits. Yet despite rising production costs, Wal-Mart has failed to increase the prices it pays for goods. As a result, factories have exploited workers and cheated on environmental commitments. During Wal-Mart inspections, records are hidden and workers are forced to lie about violations. Like Wal-Mart’s standards, these inspections are merely a PR performance.
China Labor Watch has published a new report on its long-term investigation of Wal-Mart’s Chinese supply chain. The report is based on CLW’s investigations from April to June 2009 of Wal-Mart suppliers Huasheng Packaging Factory and Hantai Shoe Factory,
Violations at Huasheng include:
• Elaborate system to cheat Wal-Mart audits.
• Some workers make only $0.51/hour, 60% of the minimum wage.
• Poor working conditions: workers inhale large amounts of paper particles and other debris.
• Twelve workers live together in cramped dorms
• Workers not paid overtime wages.
• During busy period, workday is 11 hours or 77 hours per week, and overtime is mandatory
CLW first investigated Hantai Shoe Factory in July 2008. Although Wal-Mart pledged that it would address violations, no public update materialized. CLW’s follow-up reveals new violations, and old problems have also persisted. Violations include:
• Overtime only paid up to Wal-Mart’s limits. When overtime surpasses the limit, extra wages are not paid until the following month.
• Workers forced to lie to Wal-Mart inspectors.
• 5 hours overtime daily. If workers request not to work overtime once, they will be denied any overtime for a month.
• Disguised layoffs to avoid paying severance payments to workers. Workers are abused by management or switched to undesirable jobs until they quit voluntarily
very touching story…
oh my God, i don’t know if this is postpartum hormones, but i just started crying reading the closing paragraph.. mom’s are so awesome..
too bad sometimes we dont appreciate them till its too late.
great story
That’s such a touching story! Makes me reflect back on some of the things that I might have said to my mother and father, sometimes as kids we don’t appreciate the things that our parents do for us, we’re just too young to understand. But that’s great that you called your mom about it!
Awesome story — thanks for the Sunday morning sob : ) (These are the “good” crys though)