McKenna's Christmas Letter

Christmas Eve, 2011

Dear McKenna:

I can't believe you are 11 years old and this is the eleventh Christmas letter I'm writing to you.

I was thinking back these last few weeks about how much toys have changed since I was 11. I know, I know, big groan from you, probably. But they're so technological and futuristic now. Case in point: I remember getting this really cool fake jukebox the Christmas I was 11 that flashed different colors. It was made of plastic and it just played records but I thought it was the coolest thing in the world!

Now Vicki has to translate some of the things that you want for Christmas for me (and some of what you got for Christmas) because a lot of times I don't know what certain items are. Like the time she had to tell me what a DS was.

It just goes to show you how much things have changed.

A couple of other cool things I got that year were a Barbie Townhouse which was taller than me that had an elevator (wish they'd bring that back so I could get it for you). The elevator had a string that you pull up and down to make the Barbies ride in it. I actually wrote the company and suggested they bring it back. They brought something like it back but not nearly as good as the original and no elevator. And the other thing I had was a Barbie Shopping Plaza, a three piece-set with an escalator. That'd be cool if that were still around, too. It had a beauty shop and various other stores and you could fold it up and carry it with you to friends' houses to play.

I remember Christmas morning, running into the living room and it was all dark but I could see the outlines of the townhouse and shopping plaza because those were Santa gifts so they weren't wrapped. As I rounded the corner and saw the outlines of those presents, I knew I had gotten what I asked for and I went running over to them in my pajamas.

My sister Cindy and I would always wake one or the other up and whisper, "Let's go see what Santa left us!"

Then we'd tip toe quietly down the carpeted hall, peek around the corner and in the darkness with the tree as the backdrop we'd see the Santa toys in the dark but we couldn't make them out because of the darkness. We'd squint trying to see them and we knew we'd have to wait till it was time. So we had to go back to bed and lay there and whisper to each other about our new toys until we were allowed to get up and check them out.

It was really cool seeing all your new achievements this year: The published book, which is on my bookshelf in my bedroom, you playing piano in your first recital via video, your increased cheerleading talents, continued academic awards, how you have progressed with your TOTS team, and the honors and accomplishments you have earned this school year. When I saw the video of you playing piano I got tears in my eyes and I had to watch it twice! I was so proud!

You are a natural leader, I can tell, just like my sister Cindy is. You're going to go far in life. You already have!

I have dreams about you sometimes. We're doing something creative or sometimes we're just walking on the beach. But in them I wake up happy.

I'm so glad and grateful I got to see you so much this year and I hope Christmas makes your heart so glad.

I love you,

Terri