During noon recess, the first snowflakes of the season began to flutter from heaven. It seemed to be the answer to every student’s prayers. Everyone in the classroom acted wildly excited and had a hard time concentrating on classroom work. I knew I wasn’t the only one who wanted to watch the fuzzy, fluttery snowflakes grow into icy, school-canceling snowdrifts.

Although the snowfall became increasingly heavier that afternoon, school wasn’t cancelled early. By the time Daddy came into town to pick me and my sisters up from school, the countryside was covered with a white blanket.

When I walked into the farmhouse, Mom was in the kitchen making supper. Glancing over her shoulder at me, she teased, “Guess what came in the mail today. It’s something you will like.”

It couldn’t have been a letter. Being a kid, I didn’t get many of those other than when it was my birthday. Suddenly, I understood. the Sears and Roebuck catalog, a much loved wish book, had finally arrived! Not even taking off my coat, I flopped down on the living room floor to pore over the thick catalog’s toy pages. I immediately started picking out things I wanted and hoped Santa would grant all my wishes.

Back when I was in grade school, and truthfully, even for many years after that, I wanted many things for Christmas. I’m not sure when my focus changed from wanting things to wanting experiences. Don’t misunderstand, I will always enjoy receiving gifts, but now highly value looking forward to planning and having happy experiences.

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