Do you have a green plaid poncho in your past?
Earlier this week, when my birthday was all wrapped up and almost over, I was asked by one of my grandsons if I always got my birthday candle wish. I had to think about this for a moment… and then I remembered.
I remembered when I was 10 years old, and all I wanted in the entire world was a green plaid poncho. I was in 5th grade, and all the coolest 6th grade girls had beautiful green plaid ponchos. I wished for that green plaid poncho with all my might. I dreamed of putting it on and showing up at the bus stop, wrapped in its gloriousness. I thought about how I would twirl around in it, and its fringed edges would stand straight out like little pine needles… and how I would tuck my hands inside of it to keep them warm. I imagined how I would open the box, gently nudge away the tissue, and discover the poncho like it was the last thing I expected.
But that didn’t happen. I didn’t get the green plaid poncho on my 10th birthday, even after I had wished for it as I blew out the 10 pink candles on my cake. I don’t remember one thing I received that day. I only remember what I didn’t receive.
And the green plaid poncho didn’t come the next day. The day after that. Or ever. Yes, I did have a warm fall coat that did the trick very nicely in keeping out the damp New Hampshire wind. I had warm mittens. I even had a green plaid sweater.
But all these decade later, I still remember watching the 6th grade girls twirl in their ponchos. I still remember them tucking their hands inside, in some magnificently warm place. I still remember the sting of disappointment when I did realize that my birthday candles didn’t work the magic I had imagined.
I didn’t tell my little grandson about the 10 birthday candles that didn’t work. I told him instead that I had always wished for a little boy… just like him. And he smiled.
His smile is the green plaid poncho… with all of its warmth and beauty and glorious magnificence. The birthday candles held something all along… something more miraculous than I could ever have imagined.
A grandson’s smile.
Yap sometimes it’s better for them to discover the truth by themselves!
My niece asked me what I was gonna wish for and I told her a hug and kiss. She said I get those no matter what so I should wish for a doll.
I love kids
One year for Christmas, I asked for only two things. A Mickey Mouse Watch and a Leather Jacket. Christmas came and when we opened our gifts, I got a bunch of stuff I didn’t ask for and my sister got my Mickey Mouse Watch and leather jacket. My Mom had gotten our lists confused when she wrapped gifts but it was too late because she (sister) had already opened them and fallen in love. I now tease my mom about my worst Christmas ever 🙂
This is lovely. Just as you are. I’ve loved having time to chat with you yesterday. I hope we get to meet again soon.
For two Christmases in a row, I asked for a Crimp ‘n Curl Cabbage Patch doll, and I didn’t get her either Christmas. I remember being jealous of all of my friends who had one, but like you, I’ve received all the gifts in the world to make up for never getting that doll. And really, I don’t blame my parents for not buying me a doll with hair that you could style, as I had a penchant for cutting the hair off of all my dolls, anyway!
Oh what a beautiful story. It really melted my heart!
This post is really sweet. I’ve come back to read it 4 times now. 🙂
So sweet! I’m glad the story had a happy ending. 🙂 It’s funny how something like the poncho stays with you forever (I think we all have our own “green plaid poncho”)- but how lovely that you ended up with something infinitely better.
Sharon, thank you for motivating me. You always know just what to say….I adore you!
a pink mohair sweater, grade seven