I’ve been thinking about those stinkin’ gorgeous friends of mine that live across the nation lately, thinking about that book that hasn’t written itself, and so I thought, why not throw together some “content” for that book? Why not share a story?
When December finally rolls around to close out yet another year, magic starts to happen in stores across America. The malls start getting a little redder and greener, a rather jolly and rotund grandpa in a fuzzy red coat becomes the face of every known company, and every rendition of “Ho Ho Ho” and “Naughty or Nice” marketing slogans make their way into our holiday ads. It’s a special time of year for everyone, a time to spend with family, a time to eat a few more candied treats than you should. However, the wonder of Christmas is no more magnificent to anyone than school-aged children, whose whimsical holiday extravaganzas are highlighted by those coveted two weeks off from school. For young junior high girls who are just becoming obsessed with spending every spare moment together, Christmas break is that outlet that provides endless nights of slumber parties, girly gossip, and movie marathons.
At least, those are my charmed memories of junior high Christmas break. On one such night that fits the bill described above, a Christmas slumber party of sorts was going down at the Holland household, the fondly remembered Wellwyn Way house that sat atop a large hill in the middle of suburban Texas, surrounded by what can only be described as a replica Great Wall of China. The Holland household was always so enchanting at Christmas-time, a Martha Stewart-esque masterpiece that boasted 7 fully decorated Christmas trees and featured all the homemade goodies that growing tween-age girls could ask for.
On this particular Christmas break memory (I believe it must have been either the 7th or 8th grade Christmas), there was quite a conundrum that had to be dealt with- half of the girls, still struggling out of their tomboy roots, favored the Mavericks game, while the other half, born 100% female, preferred an evening of Bing Crosby’s White Christmas. I must say, I don’t rightly remember who won out- I think there was some kind of compromise. By night’s end, less than half of the original party remained for the slumbering. Caitlin’s parents were out of town on an anniversary escapade, and we were left upstairs in the loft area to slumber away under the watchful eye of Caitlin’s grandmother. I have some hazy memory of a prank phone call that had us all up in knots, as I’m sure we enjoyed scaring the bejeebers out of each other. I guess one of them will have to clarify.
Also, Caitlin’s sweet puppy dog Chloe (may she rest in peace) was very,very pregnant. Thinking that Chloe was not quite due for several more days or weeks, the Hollands had left the house with easy minds. However, in the middle of the night, Chloe went into labor, and somehow Hope, the aspiring veterinarian and all-around animal lover of the group, must have had a supernatural understanding that something magical was about to happen. Caitlin had already been summoned to her grandmother’s room, and Hope followed quickly behind . I, being the light sleeper that I am, was awakened by the commotion, and rushed downstairs to hear what all the fuss was about. Chloe had given birth to her litter of puppies, and there was joy in the air!
I vaguely remember almost losing one of the baby pups outside- they were such tiny little things, they barely looked like puppies! Chloe was such a good mama- she took such good care of her little babies, even though she lost a few. We held the newborn puppies as long as we could keep our eyes open, and then Caitlin’s grandmother told us it was time to go back to sleep.
We were so excited that next morning, we couldn’t wait to share our joy and happiness with our friends and family! We had gotten to be witnesses to the miracle of birth and life. Such a simple, delightful moment to remember from those awkward junior high years, but it was a night that none of us will forget nonetheless. It’s snapshots like these- three pre-teen girls in Old Navy Christmas pajamas sitting on the floor of the Holland’s bedroom holding newborn baby puppies, eating popcorn and watching Christmas movies, tickle-fighting, throwin popcorn, making gingerbread men, indulging in innocent laughter, all in a world less complicated by technology and cell phones- that remind me of what a blessed childhood I had.
It’s sweet memories like these that will forever be engrained in my mind when I watch these now precious young women take their next step in life as they graduate college that will unite us in a bond that we cannot share with anyone else- ever.
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