Alice's mother died when she was five years old. Although her nine brothers and sisters were loving, they were no replacement for a mother's love.
The year was 1925, and life was hard. Alice, who grew up to be my mother, told me her family was too poor to afford a doll for her.
In the aftermath of her loss, Alice vowed to care for others. Her father, husband, children, and grandchildren became the focus of her life. She tried to make up for her sad childhood through dedication to her family, but an unfilled void remained.
In December 1982, I worked at a local bank. While decorating for Christmas, a customer showed me her beautiful handmade dolls and was taking orders. I decided to order one for my nearly five-year-old daughter, Katie. Then I had an idea: I asked if she could make a special doll for my mother—one with gray hair and spectacles, a grandmother doll.
The doll maker found the idea unique and accepted the creative challenge. I placed my order: two dolls, one blonde and one gray-haired, for Christmas morning.
Things fell into place when a friend told me his father, who played Santa Claus at local charitable events, would visit our home on Christmas morning to deliver Katie's presents. Knowing my parents would be there, I prepared for what would become one of my mother's most memorable days.
Christmas Day arrived, and so did Santa Claus at the planned time. I had prepared presents for Santa to deliver, including one for my mother tucked into the bottom of his bag. Katie was surprised and elated—the happiest I'd ever seen her.
My mother enjoyed watching her granddaughter's reaction. As Santa turned to leave, he looked into his knapsack and retrieved one more gift. He asked, "Who is Alice?" My mother, taken aback, indicated she was Alice. Santa handed her the gift with a card that read:
For Alice:
I was cleaning out my sleigh before my trip this year and came across this package that was supposed to be delivered on December 25, 1925. The present inside has aged, but I felt you might still wish to have it. Many apologies for the lateness of the gift.
Love,
Santa Claus
My mother's reaction was one of the most profound and emotional scenes I have ever witnessed. She couldn't speak, but only clasped the doll she had waited fifty-seven years to receive as tears of joy streamed down her cheeks. That doll, given by "Santa," made my mother the happiest "child" alive.