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Rachel didn't know it at the time but when she was a child there was one Christmas when her parents were so short of money that they could not afford to buy presents for each other. It was all they could to afford a Christmas tree and a small present for Rachel. Rachel's mother had taken her to the big department store where Santa sat on his throne and listened to children's wishes. It was there that Rachel's mother learned that all her daughter desired was a pony for Christmas.

"Do you think Santa will bring me a pony for Christmas?" Rachel asked her mother.

Rachel lived on a farm several miles from the city and knew there was plenty of room and feed for a pony. She dreamed of riding her very own pony. Unfortunately Rachel's father was going through tough times on the farm . The crops has been been badly affected by lack of rain and the farm income for that year barely covered the bank loan payment and living expenses.

"Perhaps one year, Rachel" said her mother.

She observed the tears in her daughter's eyes. Both mother and daughter fell silent. The mother didn't know what to say. This was going to be the saddest Christmas of all. They could not even afford a turkey . Even the Christmas tree had been an extravagance they could ill afford. Both the mother and father however agreed that they would forgo a present to each other in order to give Rachel some sort of Christmas.

Rachel went to bed on Christmas eve and dreamed of waking up in the morning to find her pony waiting for her.

"I've been such a good girl this year Santa is bound to bring me the pony I"ve always wanted" thought Rachel.

She began to pray . " God please help Mummy and Daddy. They work so hard. I see my Mummy crying at night but she doesn't see me. My Daddy worries all the time. Please God. If Santa has some money to spare could he please leave a few dollars for them under the Christmas tree? "

Next morning Rachel raced downstairs with expectations of finding a pony waiting. She was bitterly disappointed that no pony was outside anywhere to be found. When she came inside there was one solitary present under the tree. She wandered over and picked up the present . It was addressed to her. Just then her parents came down the stairs and entered the room.

"Happy Christmas, Rachel." said both her parents simultaneously .

"Happy Christmas, Mum. Happy Christmas , Dad," replied Rachel.

She didn't feel happy though. She felt like she had done something wrong and Santa was punishing her. She wanted her pony. Rachel opened the present and discovered it was an autobiography of a woman who won a gold medal at an Olympic games many years ago. Rachel put the book aside and fought back tears of disappointment. Christmas that year was indeed very subdued.

Rachel never forgot that year. She never knew that her parents did without presents for themselves until she overheard her mother and aunt talking about how times were tough many years ago. When eventually Rachel did read the book she learned what work and effort had to be expended by anyone desiring a gold medal. Thousands aspire for greatness but only a few have the skill and determination to accept incredible sacrifices to become the world's best. Rachel decided that there were other things she preferred and lost all interest in acquiring a pony.

Rachel took her aunt aside and discovered the sacrifices her parents had made through the years so that she never was entirely disappointed. That Christmas then became special for Rachel . It was the year she would have awarded a gold medal to both her parents for being the best in the world.

Learn more about this author, Barry Williams.
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