Goose Bumps at Christmas

Recently I had the opportunity to contribute a story to Chicken Soup for the Soul, for two special Christmas editions. Mine was a story that happened over 50 years ago. During the process of recalling this story, I called my mother, who is in her 90’s, to go over some of the details.


Here come the goose bumps.


My mother has been going through files and personal papers as she tries to clean out a lifetime of documents. Earlier in the same week that I called her, "coincidentally," she had come across the Christmas lists of my two brothers, and me, from the time of the story. So, not only is the story from over 50 years ago, so is the list.

Here is a copy of my portion of that list. For some reason, I really seem to have been into trucks that year.


The Gift of Christmas will be in Wal-Mart and Chicken Soup for the Soul: Tales of Christmas will be in Barnes & Noble starting in November if not earlier!


These books are special hardcover gift editions. The Wal-Mart version has 121 stories and lists for $19.95. The Barnes & Noble version has the normal 101 stories and lists for $14.95. My story is in both books.

The story is called, No Christmas Presents. It’s a true story that took place when I was just a small boy. The miracle that happened that Christmas is something I will never forget.

You’ve heard that it is more blessed to give than receive? Well, wait till you read this story.