by Whitney Levon

Created on: September 05, 2008   Last Updated: September 06, 2008

One of most memorable childhood memories happened between December and April when I was 7 years old. Its not one of those things that I am particularly proud of, but it does make me laugh every time I think about it. My parents did as most did, and took us to the local mall to get our pictures taken with Santa Claus. We told him what we wanted for Christmas just like every other kid, and then headed out to do our Christmas shopping.

This particular year I came close to having a nervous breakdown when we got home. I was extremely upset, so my mom asked what was wrong. I had forgotten to tell Santa what I really wanted for Christmas! My parents were very calm about the situation, and asked what I wanted. I said that all I really wanted was Hello Kitty stuff. It didn't matter what it was as long as it had that little cat on it. My mom hugged me and suggested that I pray really hard and try to be a good girl, and maybe I would get what I wanted.

So I did, I prayed to my new god, Santa Claus. I told him what I wanted, did my chores, and hoped for the best. Christmas morning finally came after what seemed like an eternity. Under the tree was a huge load of Hello Kitty merchandise of all shapes and sizes. I got slippers, nightgowns, crayons, jewelry, probably half of the Hello Kitty collection. It had worked!

A couple of months go by, and I have neglected half of my Christmas goodies. I sit down in front of the t.v. one day to watch cartoons and I see a toy catalog in the living room. In it is the most spectacular thing that I must have. It is a huge chest of dress-up clothes. It has feather boas, high heel slippers, and a tiara. I must have it, and I decide it will be mine. I knew that my parents didn't just buy us stuff because we asked for it, so I had to some up with a plan. Luckily for me, Easter was coming up. Surely the Easter Bunny would forgo the chocolate eggs and give me what I really wanted. So, I set to praying to the Easter Bunny much as I had to Santa Claus. The only difference was that I never told my parents about my secret desire to have this wonderful present. No, this was a secret just the Easter Bunny and I shared. I prayed every chance I got, every time the thought of the dress-up set crossed my mind. "Dear Easter Bunny, I pray that you send me the toy of my dreams. I promise to be a good girl, and I promise to eat my vegetables if you make this happen for me. Amen."

On Easter morning, I woke up before everyone just knowing that I would have this fabulous new thing to play with. Funny, there was a basket filled with candy, but not dress-up set. Oh, you sly bunny, you hid it like the eggs, right? No, it wasn't hidden, I tore the house apart and still no special toy for me. Ok, so maybe he forgot and was going to drop it off while we were at church. How could I be expected to focus on the Resurrection when my feather boas surely must have been waiting for me at home? Sadly, they were not there when I got home either.

From that point on, I never prayed to a giant man in a red suit or a candy toting rabbit ever again. I didn't told anyone about my greatest disappointment until I was far into adulthood. When I told my mom, all she could do was reply in a horrified voice, "I am sorry I made you pray to Santa Claus, I hope it didnt scar you for life."

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