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"Christmas Greeting Section" a By Melissa McDonald Christmas was coming clos- er as my mother hung up the decorations. "Mom," I said, while watch- ing her hang up one of the lightbulbs. "Yes, Dear?" She said, still not really paying attention to me. "Mom, if you don't get hard- ly anything from me you won't be mad at me, will you?" "Of course not!" she said, turning around to face me. "Why would you say that?" "Because I can only get a couple of things, Mom. I can't get a lot." "Dear," she said, getting down from the chair and sit- ting beside me. She raised her hands and touched the side of my face. "That doesn't matter. Christmas is not just for giv- ing presents. It's also when our family gets together and re-unites."" "Re-unites?" I asked. "What's that?" "Well," she began. "You know how your aunt and uncle and .other parts of the family live far away, and we don't get to see them everyday. So this is the time we can see the whole family. Do you under- stand?" ' "Yes, Mom. So you mean if I don't get you a lot of presents you won't mind?" "Of course not," she said. "It's the thought that counts." She kissed me on the forehead and went back to hanging up the decorations. , "Mom," I said, standing up to help her, "How far away is Christmas?" "Not far," she replied, "Only three weeks away." "Are Aunt Elm and Uncle Jesse coming?" I asked hopefu- y. "Well why don't you phone and find out?" I gave my Mom a quick smile as I quickly ran to the phone. "What's the number, Mom?" I yelled from the kitch- en. She hollered it back. The phone rang a couple of times. Then, suddenly some- one asnwered. "Hi, Aunt Elm, it's Naketa. I was wondering if you were coming down for Christmas. You are? That's great! Ya! Do you want to talk to Mom? Okay, Mom, Aunt Elm wants to talk to you!" "Just a sec!" she answered. I put the receiver on the ta- ble and went back into the liv- ing room. I went upstairs into my bedroom, and I sat on my bed. I thought and thought and thought. "I know!" I said, Jump up from my bed. "I w what to make my Mom." Two weeks later "Naketa!" My Mom called me from downstairs. "Wash up. It's dinner!" "Hold on, Mom I'm not done!" I called, working even faster. "Done what?" tioned. "Nothing, Mom, nothing." I put away the scissors and the glue and went to wash up. 'After dinner was over, I went back upstairs. "Naketa," my Mom called before I reached the top step, "Come here." "Yes, Mom," I said. "Come and sit on my lap." "I have no time. I have to finigh it!" "Finish what?" My Mom she ques- Ss a asked quickly, looking at me puzzled. "Uh, okay, Mom, Il sit on your lap." I went over and she put her arms around me, hold- ing me. "It's been so long since I hugged you. You're always up in your room." "Is that it, Mom?" I asked, anxious to get back upstairs. "Why in such a rush?" she said. "No reason," I said, looking away to avoid her look. She gave me a kiss on the cheek. "Okay, you can go up- stairs now." I kissed my Mom and ran upstairs. Hours later my Mom hollered, "Naketa, it's 9:30, time for bed." "Okay, Mom," I replied. "I'm ready," I said, getting under the covers, waiting for my Mom to finally come into the room. She approached the side of the bed. "Guess what?" she said in a cheerful mood. "Just one more week until Christ- mas!" She sat beside me. She looked at me for a long period of time. "I love you," she sud- denly said, and kissed me. The week wore on swiftly, and now it was only a day be- fore Christmas. I had finally finished my Mom's present. I was so excited that I just had to take it to school and show all my friends. "Wow! That's neat!" a group of people said as I showed it to them. "You made that all by your- self?" Wendy asked. "Yep!" I said, proud of my- self. "I'm going to give it to my Mom on Christmas Day. Do you think shell like it?" I asked doubtfully. "Sure she will!" said Mary. "I know I like it." "Thanks," I said as the bell rang. After school I ran all the way home, ready to wrap the present I had made, but when I got there, I forgot all about it. All that night my Mom and I sang Christmas songs. The next morning I woke up and went downstairs. My Mom was already there. "Hi Mom," I said. "Hi dear," she replied, hold- ing a present in her hand. "Here, open this." : I took the present out of Mom's hands and opened it. I { | Joyous Noel To our many valued customers, we would like to extend our heartfelt appreciaton. . Mary, Mike, Gina & Allan MONTE CARLO | HAIR FASHION was in shock! It was a gold unicorn necklace and earrings. "Thank-you, Mom! I love it!" I gave her a kiss and a hug. "Now it's time to open your present," I said running up the stairs so excited! I looked in my room. It wasn't there! | had lost it! My heart was sad, for my Mom didn't get a present from me. I went downstairs and stood in front of her. I looked at her with big sad puppy-dog eyes. "I lost it Mom," I said as tears ran down my face. "That's okay," she said. "No it's not," I replied. "I didn't get to give you a Christ- mas present." "You already did," said my Mom. "I did?" I asked sniffing. "Yes, you did." "What was it, Mom ?" "You are my Christmas present and I love you." I wiped my tears away. "I love you too Mom," I said, giv- ing my Mom a big hug. "Mom?" "What dear?" "Merry Christmas." | Carols and choirs. Winter is special in our special I town, thanks to wonderful folks like you. Have a il | iy, The beauty and spirit of the season brings to mind most wonderful gifts ... friendship, loyalty and goodwill. We thank you and yours and wish you all a Very Merry Christmas! Gord Lewis Motor Sales WATER STREET, PORT PERRY 985-8091 Snowballs and sleighbells. Ice skates and icicles. Loe---- -- i Merry Christmas! PORT PERRY