Lou and David Sears

I grew up in a small lead mining town called Leadwood about an hour south of St. Louis. One of the main grocery stores was called L&M IGA and it was owned by a minister friend of my dad’s. We shopped there each Saturday for groceries. Christmas was getting close, and it was the custom of the store to put toys on the shelves above the produce section. That is where you would find me staring up at the most beautiful Cinderella doll I had ever seen. She had a sparkly blue ruffled dress, pearl earrings, a necklace, and high heels. In the box was also a small golden coach. I wanted that doll so badly that I even prayed each night that she would be under my tree Christmas morning.

The last Saturday before Christmas, I rushed into the store before my family and dashed to the Produce Aisle. She was gone! My Cinderella doll was not there! I was heartbroken. I knew someone had gotten it for their little girl.

When Christmas morning came, my sisters rushed into the living room to open their presents under the tree. I followed them into the room knowing I would not be getting “my” Cinderella doll. Much to my surprise there under the tree was the box with the doll with her sparkling blue dress and golden coach. With tears in my eyes, I ran to the doll and picked her up, and hugged her. I didn’t know that it was my dad who had purchased the doll before Christmas. He had noticed me admiring the doll each week. It was truly the best Christmas ever!

I found a picture in a Google search just like my doll, minus the golden coach.

May you receive your heart’s desire this Christmas!