Friday, December 3, 2010

The Lilac Nightie


My fondest Christmas memory is the time I received a lilac nightie from my sister. I wrote about it once, a private story I sent to her, to let her know that I will never forget that Christmas Day.

I never thought I’d own that nightie. I went Christmas shopping with my sister, who was buying presents, I think, with one of her first working year’s wage packets. My memory’s a bit vague on that, but anyway, we were in Littlewoods, which was a store most people went to back then. I saw the nightie hanging on the rack. Imitation silk, so pretty and “grown up” looking, and I touched it. Honestly, the feel of it…I can still remember that when I close my eyes. And my word, I wanted it so much I could taste it.

Christmas Day, my sister handed her present to me, all wrapped poshly, so different from the other presents. My sister has a knack for being so glamorous, and I didn’t even want to open the present for fear of messing up that beautiful paper, the ribbons and bows. Her lovely writing was on the tag, and I can only imagine how she felt knowing what was inside the package, her sitting there waiting for me to open it up. And I did, finding that lilac nightie inside.

God, she could have bought me diamonds and I’d have been disappointed, because looking back, that nightie must have been one of the first “womanly” things I wanted. Something I kind of needed at the time to make me feel less of a child and more of someone growing up.

I wore that nightie to death, until it frayed, had thread pulls all over it, and until it was so tight across my chest it hurt, digging into my armpits, and the hem was no longer at my feet but possibly my calves. But that present gave me more than just something I wanted. It made me feel special, something I never felt I was deep down. It made me feel like a princess. She made me feel like a princess. I wish I had kept it, really do, in all its final, ratty glory. She took a picture of me once while I wore it, of me crying in some fit of childish sulking, and I can still see that in my mind too.

So, when asked which Christmas I remember most, it’s the Christmas of the lilac nightie. The Christmas I discovered I was special enough to be given such a thing and also that my sister must have watched me touching that nightie in the shop and knew she’d found the perfect gift.


***

My “gift” this week is any of my e-books from any of my names (Natalie Dae, Sarah Masters, Charley Oweson). Nat’s books are HERE. Sarah’s and Charley’s books are HERE. All commenter's names will be placed in the hat and the winner will be announced next Friday along with the winners from all weekday posts.

To find out who won gifts from Madison and Anne this week, check back later for the winner's post!

26 comments:

N.J.Walters said...

What a beautiful story. And what a loving gift for your sister to give you.

Tess MacKall said...

Oh, I'm crying. That was so incredibly beautiful. A moment between sisters that will never be forgotten.

It's those moments that make our lives so special.

I have a feeling you and I will both shed a lot of tears over these memories this month, Nat.

Natalie Dae said...

Hi NJ! It was lovely. The best!

:o)

Natalie Dae said...

LOL Tess, we probably will cry a lot haha. Soppy pair of sods.

:o)

Fedora said...

What a sweet memory, Natalie, and what a sweet sister you have! That's a real blessing! Thanks for sharing that with us! I love my sister more than anything, too--there's nothing like a sister of your heart!

Regina Carlysle said...

You just make me cry,honey. I can only imagine how this made you feel. All grown up and very special. Odd how certain things can just touch you so much. I have one from my sister that always makes me tear up when I recall it.

Molly Daniels said...

I had a pink nightie when I was ten that I too wore to death:)

What a sweet thing for your sister to do for you!

Madison Scott said...

Beautiful, Nat! I love that story.

Natalie Dae said...

Hi flchen!

Yep, she's the best. One of my best friends too.

:o)

Natalie Dae said...

LOL Reg. I felt so groovy wearing it!

:o)

Natalie Dae said...

Molly, we ought to go out and find adult replicas! Hahaha!

:o)

Natalie Dae said...

Hugs, Madison!

:o)

The Scarf Princess said...

That is a great story! I wish I had a gift that meant that much to me. It was definitely a great bonding moment with your sister and that is the most important part for sure.

joderjo402 AT gmail DOT com

Cathy M said...

I loved that, thanks for sharing it with us. Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

Natalie Dae said...

Aww, bless you, Joder. There's still time to get one! You never know!

:o)

Natalie Dae said...

Thanks, Cathy. Have a great one yourself, love!

:o)

Anne Rainey said...

What a sweet story!!

Anonymous said...

How Sweet!!!

C. Zampa said...

I love the nightie memory, Nat. That is so beautiful. Thank you for sharing it.

I think my best Christmas memory wasn't really something about me, but about my daughter.

The Christmas my daughter was three years old, we didn't have a lot of money. I hadn't been divorced very long.

One evening, I was fixing dinner and I swore I heard bells outside--you know the kind like reindeer suppposedly have. The sound got louder and louder, and closer. Sort of eerie and exciting, all at the same time.

Finally, the bells were right outside our door, and the doorbell rang.

My daughter followed me to the door, and I hesitantly opened it.
And, when I did, there in the doorway stood this bigger-than-life Santa Clause--fully suited.

He said he'd come to see Lyndie.

The look of wonder and surprise on my daughter's face was something that, to this day, warms my heart and gives me chills. It was the look...of Christmas. The way it's meant to be.

Apparently the apartment complex had hired a guy to visit the younger children in the complex, and that gift was one of the most memorable we'd ever had.

Made the absence of much money for presents fade. After all, what better gift than for Santa Clause to come to your very own front door?

Natalie Dae said...

Thanks, Anne!

:o)

Natalie Dae said...

Thanks, Desi.

:o)

Natalie Dae said...

Awww, CZ. That's a fab story. I can just imagine how she felt too! I think I'd have cried for her!

:o)

kittykelly28 said...

How sweet that almost made me cry. I don't know that I've ever gotten anything that moved me that much :)

Kelly
kittykelly28 @ hotmail.com

Natalie Dae said...

Bless you, Kitty. There's still this Christmas!

:o)

Ashley L said...

That is a beautiful story. My sister is just like that. She is always giving me thoughtful gifts for no reason or just because. I love her even more now that we no longer live together. She's my best friend.

Natalie Dae said...

Awww, that's lovely, Ashley. I know exactly what you mean about best friends.

:o)