Back many moons ago, way before we were teenagers, my brother and I were surprised when we were told that we were going to have a baby sister or brother coming to live with us. We were delighted and began thinking of a name for the baby. My brother and I thought up all kinds of names for this tiny baby. Jim's list consisted of all boy names and I had a list of girl names, such as Bambi Lynn, Linda Sue and Jill or Jane.
When she finally arrived, she was named Kathy Lou by our parents and that name fit her just right. Jim loved her even though she wasn't a boy. Each year as she got older, Christmas got better. She finally out-grew the bottle and the diapers and baby toys.
By age 3, Jim and I thought she was ready for bigger and more special gifts, so after saving our money for what seemed like forever, Mom took Jim and me Christmas shopping. We went to the toy store that was on the corner across the street from the Grange Hall in Fredonia. We looked and looked, and finally decided that the absolute best toy for Kathy was a beautiful spring horse. One problem we didn't quite have enough money to buy the horse. Between the store owner, and Mom, they worked it out that the bill was paid and we took Kathy's Christmas gift home with us.
Christmas Eve rolled around, and Jim and I could hardly wait until the morning dawned and we could see Kathy's face when she saw her horse for the very first time. Unfortunately, we had another problem, and this one was harder to solve. No matter how hard we tried, we could not get her to go to bed. She insisted that she stay up and wait until Santa arrived. She had her cookies and milk all ready for him, and even though she had eaten a few, she was sure that he wouldn't mind.
Finally, Jim told me he had an idea that was sure to work. He ran to the barn to check the animals (he said), but he really needed to put his plan into motion. Mom and Dad, Kathy and I were sitting on the couch near the lighted tree, when all of a sudden we heard jingle bells and loud scraping noises on the front porch. We looked at each other in amazement, and than ran to the window to check it out.
About that time, Jim came bursting through the back door, and was so excited he could hardly talk. He said that he had just seen Santa and his reindeer land for a moment on the front porch. He said Santa peaked in the window and saw that everyone was still awake so he then flew off and was headed for the Noble house next door. Kathy's eyes were as big as saucers.
She said, "Oh, no, I better get to bed now, and then maybe he will come back."
Up those stairs she scurried and not a peep was heard from her until Christmas morning. We had one of the best Christmases ever. I will never forget her reaction and her big smile as she climbed on for her very first ride.
Thanks Alice and Dick Christy for all our family memories. They are all so special for you made them that way.
Barb Tompsett, Jim Christy and Kathy Peters
Brocton
