I think it was the Christmas I was ten. I know it was the Christmas I got white figure skates with white rabbit fur trim on the top. It was also the worst Christmas I ever had and I learned a very big lesson that year. You see, I knew where my Mother was hiding all the gifts and I knew where she hid the key. Every time I had the chance to snoop out the gifts without getting caught, I did. When Christmas morning came, I discovered that there was no joy in knowing ahead of time what everyone was getting. I never snooped again. I also remember the delicious anticipation that kept me awake every Christmas Eve. When I would finally start to get sleepy I would try to visualize and name all 50 states over and over. I would usually drop off somewhere near Kansas the third time through. I memorized them in geographical order from Maine south to Florida, the Gulf states to the Great Lakes, the Dakotas to Texas, Arizona and New Mexico up the Great Divide and down the other side from Washington to California. Alaska and Hawaii I saved for the end. Have a wonderful Christmas everyone, and a Happy New Year.
Peace
Connie