The Best Gift I Ever Received

When I was in elementary school, I went on a field trip to see The Nutcracker.  I was mesmerized by it.  For the next couple of weeks, my mind played back scenarios from the ballet and the story continually ran through my imagination.

It was around this time, Mom took me to the local Christmas market.  I found a booth selling small wooden soldiers that reminded me of the ballet.

I told Mom I wanted some of the wooden soldiers for Christmas, but she was reluctant to buy them.  She didn’t understand why I would want nicknacks and felt it would be a waste of money.

I was relentless.  I had to have one.  Mom finally gave in and bought two of those soldiers for me.

I cherished those soldiers.  Unfortunately, only one of the solders has survived all these years.  It is the only toy from my childhood that I still own and I keep it in a glass display case.

It may sound strange, but this small wooden soldier is the best gift I ever received.


Why I go Into the Woods

I go into the woods alone, to sit in silence and listen.  I hear birds singing, bugs chirping, and the wind rustling through the leaves.  I can smell the freshness in the air.  The longer I sit the more at peace I feel.  I am becoming one with the nature around me.  I feel a longing to connect with the animals that hide or scurry about.  I close my eyes, and let all the stress leave my body.  In that moment, all feels right with the world.  That’s why I go into the woods.

Lottery Winnings and Museum Renovations

The Houston Memorial Library is located in Athens, Alabama.  The house was owned by George Houston, a former governor of the state of Alabama.  George Houston died in 1879,  and the Houston family donated the property to the city of Athens, with the stipulation that it be used as a library/museum.

However, over the years the building deteriorated and the city failed to complete the required maintenance to keep the facility functional.  In 2016, the city indefinitely closed the museum for renovations.

It breaks my heart to see this building in such a deplorable state.  All those historical documents, old books, and antiques are locked inside the building.  The building is full of items with educational and cultural value, but it’s all just rotting away.

If I won the lottery, I would buy that building and have it fully restored.  I would open it back up for the public to use and have activities for children, so they can learn to appreciate the value of museums and libraries.