You are the angel! Beautifully captured thinking of a child. Sad, but wonderful. R

That is exactly what I got Toker.

It is my inner child speaking here Dave. True story here, but not well rendered.

Well pooh. :( Clothes are good too aren't they?

I guess Nana. I wanted a doll tho'. I think any new doll would have been fine. I was one poor kid growing up...

We were poor also, my Dad would have painted new eyes and Mom make a new dress for it. Wonderful piece. Be well.....o/e R*****

When I think of what it must have been like, o/e, to try to raise eight kids, I cannot imagine even trying. Mydad worked all the time and so did my mother. I guess they were glad I found that old plastic doll. No one offered to fix it. I guess at least I had a doll was good. even if I did carry her around trying to tell her what I could see.

Dolls and clothes are two different things. The doll is about the magic, the imagination. This is just right--the child's voice speaks.

My inner child is talking here. I remember her well.
She wanted to heal the whole world.
She failed....

You do your part to heal what part of the world you can, Kiddo. Unfair and immoral business practices have kept poverty alive and well throughout the rural South for years and it now spreads to the rest of the nation. Work the people to an early grave, but don't pay them enough to even get their kids some toys from Santa. That's just plain fucked up.

I've heard that many letters to Santa this year have the kids asking for clothes and such and not toys because they see that their parents are distressed and suffering and struggling to make ends meet.

Although clothes are surely the more practical gifts, especially for needy families, it still shoots a hole in the soul of any child with hopes and dreams of a better future as your excellent poem points out. Another great piece or writing, Suz. Very raw and emotional.

:-( **runs off into the thorn bushes to cry**

I have rad some of those letters and the kids are asking for jobs for their parents Michael. I remember feeling of the wrapped package I got and it was soft and squishy. I knew it was clothes then and went off and cried. I did not even want to open it.....
Many are finally facing reality now and what they face ain't pretty, either.

The only soft squishy presents in my house are bags of underwear. It's family joke so there are a lot of laughs when they are opened on Christmas morning. I swore never to give my kids clothes when they wanted something fun for the very reason you write of above...

Of course my teen daughter turned that on its head when she demanded Aero Postale jeans last year. *sigh!*

Awesome Neighbor. Once again you have me speechless!

Yeah, I had one or two like that myself. It breaks my heart when kids are hurt after they've been lied to about this great man in Red that brings you presents. Merry Christmas my friend!

I never liked the red dude Scanner. He never brought me anything I asked for.
I decided he was some kind of bad joke played on little kids like me.
Now I am grinchy here.

Felt it. Don't know where my parents came up with the money, but I did have dolls. Seven kids and my grands living with us, I admire them more and more. Sorry for this one Mission, it aches.

It is gratefully in my yesterday file Rita.
I try not to look in that one often.
Only when necessary.
I have three kids and had a hard time keeping them warm and fed.
I know now my parents had it hard. I understand all too well.

Sending you a virtual doll, brand new, with wings.

I wish I had money I would send you a beautiful doll right now..
Seriously..
Rated with holiday hugs.

Sorry Mission no new dolly for you and Scanners Schwinn has also been put on hold. As Skypixio has just reported Santa has been hitting the Johnny Walker Red rather hard and was last sighted passed out on a roof somewhere in Minnesota.

I got my angel now. Two of them.
One answers to Mission and is insane to walk outside.
The other is a strange kitty named Wittle Dude.
They keep me coming and going. Right now I am going.
Out in the cold for another walk.

I went over and checked out the santa at Sky's place Jack.
I think xmas is canceled. The main actor can't make the show.

Christmas isn't happy or magical for many children who don't get a toy. Heart breaking also for the parents that have to disappoint them or hope for charity from someone luckier.

Heart breaking words Mission, true for too many and the memory of that longing returns every year. Hugs to you sweet heart.

Well Blue, like I said before, I am glad this memory is under the file called yesterday.
Yet for many children, it is still ringing true.
And it breaks my heart.

I hear the child in here. I'm saddened so I'll join Tink in the thornbush for a cry. Very poignant, Mission. ~r

Oh, I'm sorry Mission. You expressed your inner child so well. Happy Christmas to you.

I TY Fusun and Trilogy.
One of the more insane parts of this sad tale is that much later in life I went looking for this doll and could not find it for sale anymore.
I had no idea of the toy maker or name.
So I never got her. Now that is crazy.....

Sigh... Yes, this is a very real side to Christmas for many children.

Yes it is Heidi.
All too true.....

How bout an Angel from Montgomery?

This is so poignant.

http://www.amazon.com/Little-Katherine-Brown-Hair-Eyes/dp/B00124EH48/ref=cm_lmf_tit_4
sending this back in time for you

Merry Christmas, Mission. Give that little girl a hug from me.

Angels are hard to come by. - Scott