[font="times new roman"][:(][:(][:(][:(][:(][:(][:(][:(][:(][:(][:(][:(][:(][:(][:(][:(][:(][:(][:(][:(][:(][:(][:(][:(][:(][:(][:(][:(][/font]
[font="times new roman"]A never forgotten Christmas [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Once upon a time there was a young girl named Alicia. Alicia was 16 years old and lived in Williamston, South Carolina. One day, someone new came to school and sat right next to Alicia. Of course, Alicia was hoping this new person would become her friend, so she quickly said, 'Hi, I'm Alicia. What's your name?' [/font]
[font="times new roman"] 'My name is Jennifer. We just moved to Lompoc.' Alicia and Jennifer soon became fast friends. [/font]
[font="times new roman"] However, Alicia soon noticed that Jennifer’s family was rather poor. Jennifer usually wore clothes from the Thrift Shop. Jennifer never seemed to have the 'in' clothes like all of the other kids. [/font]
[font="times new roman"] Christmas was fast approaching and Alicia was so excited about all of the things that she hoped to get for Christmas. Alicia was working very hard to make her Santa Wish List and put everything on it! Oh, she wanted a CD, a perfume, shoes, lots of things! [/font]
[font="times new roman"] One day, Alicia asked Jennifer 'What are you going to ask Santa to bring you this year?' Jennifer smiled a quiet, wistful smile and said 'All I'm going to ask Santa for is a Christmas tree for my family. I just can't imagine not having a tree for my 2 year old baby sister Nevaeh hope and my 4 year old brother Dillian Jake this Christmas.' [/font]
[font="times new roman"] Alicia was shocked. No Christmas tree? No presents? Jennifer explained that little Nevaeh hope had been very sick and their father had been out of work and there just wasn't any extra money for Christmas this year and certainly not a Christmas tree. [/font]
[font="times new roman"] Alicia watched her friend's face. No, Jennifer wasn't complaining about how unfair life was. It was just how life for Jennifer’s family really was. [/font]
[font="times new roman"] In the days that followed, Alicia and Jennifer continued having fun together. They smiled and laughed and talked about how wonderful Christmas vacation was going to be! But Alicia just couldn't forget the sad look on Jennifer’s face because there would be no Christmas for little Nevaeh hope and Dillian Jake. [/font]
[font="times new roman"] Finally one day - One week before Christmas - Alicia knew what she had to do. Alicia took out her pen and paper and started to write. Dear Santa… Please throw away my first wish list. I now need something much more important! Could you please bring a Christmas tree to my friend Jennifer’s house? Thank you, Santa. Love, Alicia [/font]
[font="times new roman"] Alicia put the letter in her mailbox and put the flag up so the postman would remember to take it. [/font]
[font="times new roman"] The next day was Saturday. Alicia got out her piggy bank and dumped all of the money on the floor and counted it $17.98. There was just enough money to buy that new CD she had been saving for. Well, Alicia had new plans now! [/font]
[font="times new roman"] Alicia asked her mother to drop her off at the store, and she climbed into their baby blue Astro Van for a trip to the mall. [/font]
[font="times new roman"] What fun it was to shop! Up and down the aisles she went -- until it caught her eye. She was the prettiest little baby doll wrapped in a pink blanket and wearing a little pink bonnet! She was just right for Jennifer’s little sister Nevaeh hope. And, the baby doll only cost $5.50! [/font]
[font="times new roman"] Next, Alicia went to the toy car section. First, she looked at one, and then she looked at another. One was too expensive, while the next one was too small. Just then Alicia turned the corner and there on the end of the aisle, she saw it! A pink and black tractor pulling a little green cart. Oh how much fun Jennifer’s little brother Dillian Jake would have with that tractor! It cost $7.95. Hmmm, $7.95 plus $5.50 equals $13.45. That left $4.53. It wasn't much. What could she buy with only $4.53? Ah ha! Everyone likes candy! [/font]
[font="times new roman"] Hurrying over to the candy aisle, Alicia spied a big box of mixed chocolates for $4.50. Yum! [/font]
[font="times new roman"] Alicia got up to the counter with her treasures; she was so happy! The checker punched $5.50 into the cash register, then $7.98, and finally, $4.50. Oh no! Alicia had forgotten about tax. The tax was $1.26. That meant that she was short $1.23. Alicia’s face fell and just a glint of a tear hovered at the edge of her eye. But just as she was about to tell the checker to put the chocolates back on the store shelf, the lady behind her in line slipped a crisp one dollar bill and a shiny new quarter onto the counter, whispering, 'Let me help!' [/font]
[font="times new roman"] When Alicia’s mom picked her up, she could hardly contain her excitement. Alicia showed the beautiful doll, the terrific tractor, and the box of chocolates to her mother. [/font]
[font="times new roman"] When Alicia got home, she wrapped each gift in pretty Christmas paper. Monday morning, she brimmed with excitement as she carefully packed the beautifully wrapped presents in her backpack. Alicia could hardly wait to see Jennifer’s face when she opened her backpack. [/font]
[font="times new roman"] But to Alicia’s surprise, Jennifer was already bursting with happiness! Jennifer explained that the previous evening a mysterious lady in a baby blue van dropped off the most beautiful 6 foot Christmas tree that Jennifer had ever seen! Jennifer’s eyes sparkled. 'This nice lady told me that Santa Claus sent this Christmas tree clear from the North Pole just for Nevaeh hope, Dillian Jake and me!' [/font]
[font="times new roman"] When Alicia pulled the gifts from her backpack, Jennifer’s eyes filled with tears. 'Now we will have the most wonderful Christmas ever!' [/font]
[font="times new roman"] And, Alicia? Well, Alicia finally understood the true meaning of Christmas. That would be a Christmas never forgotten [/font]
[:o][:o][:o][:o][:o][:o][:o][:o][:o][:o][:o][:o][:o][:o][:o][:o][:o][:o][:o][:o][:o][:o][:o][:o][:o][:o][:o][:o]