Favorite Childhood Christmas Memory: Getting a Sega Genesis

I have had all sorts of wonderful Christmas memories from my childhood, but one of my absolute favorite memories occurred in 1992 when I was eight years old. I remember having opened up all of my presents except for one big gift with my name on it. I did what came naturally: opened it up. Imagine my surprise and delight when I saw what was inside: a Sega Genesis system complete with a Sonic the Hedgehog game cartridge! I could not believe my eyes...it was like a dream that I did not wish to wake up from, and needless to say, my excitement was quite profound.

At the time, I had seen the game being demoed at Sam's Club, and I had read the very first issue of Sonic's comic book from Archie, so my lifelong love for the hedgehog was just getting underway. Thus, I was delighted to have my very own Genesis system, and for the next few days, my parents and I would play Sonic's very first game for hours. It was the first time I remember getting a video game system for Christmas, and the Genesis would be the source of many more wonderful memories in the years to come. That, and my Super Nintendo, helped me get through my childhood years, which would prove to be enjoyable. How I wish that my childhood years had never ended, as they went by all too quickly.

I admit that I never expected to get a Genesis, or any other Sega system, for that matter. However, I felt that Santa Claus certainly surprised me with what he had done: he had given me, and the rest of my family, a present that was guaranteed to give us all a great time even long after Christmas was over. Even at that moment, I did not lose sight of the greatest Christmas gift that we were all given that day: the gift of love and sharing the special moment on Christmas Day. It is a gift that we still share every Christmas, and one that I pray is never lost.