I was raised on a farm with 2 brothers and 2 sisters near Aynor, SC.

Times were tough back then. Though we never went hungry, we were not showered with gifts for birthdays and Christmas either.

We knew we were loved and cared for by our parents. That meant a lot.

When I was 10, I had my little heart set on a pink jewelry box. It came with a ballerina inside that danced to the music box. The music and dancing figure alone excited and delighted my soul.

Many of you can probably identify with my longing for it. As I dreamed about having my own place to put my little cross necklace. And more important, it would be something I wouldn’t have to share with my sister Kathy.

Dropping lots of hints and outright asking my parents seemed like an adequate plan.

I was dreaming about it as my birthday approached. But, alas, there was no jewelry box. Instead, I got a heart necklace.

Disappointed, heartbroken and sad don’t come close to describing how I felt. But Christmas was coming. Time for plan B.

I started a new, but subtle barrage of hints. I felt almost like Ralphie in “A Christmas Story” pursuing a BB gun. I was as relentless as he was.

As Christmas was near, it was time for one last “Hail Mary.”

I actually asked my parents and Santa, too. In the back of my mind, I was telling myself, I probably won’t get and not to be outwardly disappointed.

Christmas day arrived and as the family gathered around the tree to open our one present each my heart was pounding. Wishing, hoping and even lifting up a little prayer.

When the time came to open my present, my trembling fingers began to remove the ribbons and wrapping paper. Once they were off, my eyes became the size of dinner plates and my heart was dancing.

There in my hands was that prized jewelry box. Now that was a Christmas worth remembering.

Linda Sauls is the advertising manager at the Lexington County Chronicle.