The year was 1962..my brothers were two and eight, I was eleven. I desperately wanted a pair of figure skates, I wanted to glide along the ice and dazzle everyone with my skating skills..I just knew that a pair of proper ice skates would be better than the old pair of strap onto your boot skates with the double runners on the heel and on the toes. Figure skates..they were the only thing on my list.
There was one package under the tree for me that fit the bill, it was just about the right size, kinda heavy and jiggled like it contained skates..I could just imagine them all white and nestled in their box..I could even smell the leather through the box. I was so excited..this was going to be the most perfect Christmas ever. I didn't even peek..
Christmas eve after church we opened our packages. My excitement had moved to a fever pitch by this time. I ripped off the wrapping paper and was about to yell "Thanks for the skates!!" When I noticed..that there were no skates..inside that box in place of my skates was a pink radio..my "Thanks for the radio" was polite..but my cheeks were sore from biting back my tears:(
