I was reminiscing today over some memorable Christmas gifts I received as a child or teenager. Some presents I was given really stand out for some reason or another, and I remember them vividly. How about you? What gifts did you receive as a child that you still remember with fondness today? Here are 10 of mine:

1. An “adoptable doll” – precursor to the Cabbage Patch dolls – that my aunt made for me! It looked just like me!

2. A box of cheese. I was a big time cheese lover, and one year I asked for cheese for Christmas. I think I was around 12 years old. There was a wrapped gift waiting for me in the refrigerator. Lots and lots of cheese. I ate so much that I didn’t crave cheese for quite awhile after that.

3. A burgundy outfit. I had a dream in which I was a wearing the cutest burgundy outfit, so I tried to describe it to my parents when asking for it for Christmas. I got a burgundy outfit, but it didn’t look as pretty on me in real life as it did in my dream.

4. My first 10-speed bike.

5. My first pair of real Nike tennis shoes. We weren’t the wealthiest family on the block growing up, so having Nike tennis shoes was a big deal! Funny thing now – I don’t like Nike shoes at all. They don’t fit my feet properly anymore.

6. A crocheted “Miss Piggy” that my aunt made for me (the same one that made the adoptable doll).

7. A wooden Georgia Bulldogs plaque that my brother made for me in his shop class in school. For some reason, I was a Bulldogs fan back then – have no clue why. I am a Tarheel through and through now.

8. My first “boombox”.

9. A set of Nancy Drew books. I loved reading then and still do now!

10. A Madame Alexander doll of “Jo” from Little Women.

I guess I was due for a good cry, but I really felt rather silly for the reasons that caused it. Bottom line – my feelings were hurt. It was not something that was done or said to me or said about me but rather something that was not said or done. In the grand scheme of life and problems, this is so very minor – I realize that. But, it still hurt (and still does a little bit). As I was praying about the situation this morning, I kept praying that God would (in a sweet and subtle way) let my friend know that I was hurting, but then I immediately felt terrible for praying that, because I didn’t want this person hurt either. Such a catch 22. Then the tears came…and came…and came. So, what did I do next? I posted my feelings on Twitter. I guess I felt the rest of the world cared to know, but in all honesty I tend to use places like Twitter and Facebook as a psychological dumping ground, of sorts (my blog too – it appears). It’s a way for me to release my feelings in sometimes subtle, non-specific ways without having to face the situation head on, and I generally feel a little better afterwards. Well, much to my surprise – I received a reply from a Twitter follower and fellow sister in Christ that is actually a complete stranger to me. She so sweetly reminded me that as I tried to not take things personally in spite of the hurt – to look to Jesus as the best example of how to do that! He was rejected constantly and experienced hurt after hurt after hurt, but He kept things in perspective and continued to fulfill His purposes here. So, He lifted me up out of my temporary pit, dusted me off, and sent me back out there to fulfill the purpose assigned to me! No, the hurt isn’t completely gone just yet, but the more I talk to Him and serve Him – the more the pain lessens.