Mom's Favorite Special Book

When I was 9 years old the company my Dad was working for went under and the job market was not looking very good. He searched for months to find someplace that would be right for all of us. It was a hard time on the family. I remember how stressed my parents were and how we mostly ate out of our food storage. Things were very tight. Things were often tight, but I never fully felt the effects of it as much as I did that year. My Dad was finally able to find a job in Iowa, of all places. We were all happy at the thought of not having to eat another jar of peaches or beans from our storage everyday, but the thought of moving to Iowa was a bit of a shock. My brother and Dad moved there first so that Dan could start up with basketball season in the High School, and to look for a house for us to live. That Christmas would be without my Dad and brother. I was pretty sad about the whole family not being together since my oldest sister and brother were also serving missions. Then over dinner my Mom let my two

older sisters and me know that with moving preparations underway and finances still pretty tight we would not have a tree or store bought presents this year. We were encouraged to make something with what we could find in the house. It was hard, but I understood. We spent a lot of time in thanks to Heavenly Father for blessing my Dad with a job.

When Christmas morning came, we didn't make any efforts to wake up before dawn. My mom however was up early making a yummy breakfast (A Christmas tradition that will always be appreciated). We saw stockings sitting on the couch which made me really excited because I wasn't sure if they would be packed up already. Our stockings always had one or two oranges, and a Lifesavers different flavor pack, some shelled nuts, socks, and candy. . .or at least that's what I would always remember. For some reason I was very protective of my oranges. One year I remember keeping them under my pillow so my older siblings couldn't take them from me. Anyway, my Mom than let us know that Dad sent us a special package from Iowa. Inside were a few small presents and one big wrapped thing for each of us girls. I remember crying. When I opened it I was so excited to see a big book called The Wizard of Oz. It was the most beautiful book I had ever seen in my life. It was big, with a hard cover, and had lots of amazing pictures inside. I was sure that this book had to have been worth a fortune and so I took very good care of it. It's probably the only thing that I have kept from my youth. This book reminds me to be thankful for what I have. It reminds me of the year that we trusted in the Lord for everything, and we had enough. It reminds me of the true meaning of Christmas. I've kept the book displayed somewhere in the boys room up high so they can't reach it. Over the past year Hyrum has gotten to it a few times and once ripped one of the pages slightly. I was pretty upset and had to explain to him that he had to be extra careful with this book because it was a very special book. Well, about a month ago, before bed, Hyrum asked Brett, "Please read Mom's favorite special book?". . . So, the reading began. It's not an easy child read. It is slightly condensed from the original, but still 96 pages long. (Some of the more violent parts of the story had to be carefully edited by us.) Hyrum LOVED it! It's not often that he will just sit and listen. . . ok, it's VERY rare. But every night before bed he would sit quietly and listen to the book, stare at the pictures, and even ask question. I think reading this book will be a tradition. I am so thankful for every experience and tradition that teach us to grow closer together as a family and closer to God. Thank you Mom and Dad for making that my favorite Christmas of all time.