My father’s mother died when he was about 5, and he was actually brought up by his grandparents, uncles and aunts. He told us few things about his childhood, but I particularly remember this about Christmas.
The story goes that Dad wanted toy soldiers for Christmas and although I don’t know how old he was at the time, he had been pestering everybody for weeks. He didn’t just want half a dozen either. He wanted armies, legions, battalions, the works.
He was all organised on Christmas Eve too, deciding to hang a pillow case on the bottom of his bed instead of a stocking so that they could all fit inside, so convinced that he was going to get them.
He was absolutely speechless on Christmas morning though when his pillow case was full of……….. coal.
I always felt sad at the thought of this little boy waking up to find no stocking full of goodies, and his wish not being granted. I could feel his disappointment, and hated the idea of my Dad being unhappy, particularly on Christmas Day and especially as a child.
However, when he went downstairs, apparently the entire floor was covered with tin and lead soldiers in varying colours and poses, lined up in regimental rows ready for Dad’s inspection and to do battle.
Great grandpa, Grandad, and the three uncles had all chipped in and hand painted about 300 between them to give Dad his armies. Just to give you an idea of the soldiers I’m talking about, these are not your action man figures or mass produced plastic moldings. If you have seen the films Ronin or The Forty Year Old Virgin (now there’s a contrast in movies!) , there are scenes where soldiers are being hand painted under magnifying glasses.
These were the kind that Dad wanted, and got. Just imagine what painstaking patience and time it took hand painting 300 tiny figures, to make one little boy feel special. But then to me, my Dad was.Β Always.
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Oh my goodness! That is such a heart warming and special story! I hope you do a re-blog and share it with Blog-landia this Christmas season! Was your father’s coal, actually coal they could burn in the fireplace or was it candy, like mine was? What a surprise for your dad! Love is the best present of all!
No, proper coal for the fire. I loved this story. I think I will reblog it as I haven’t done so yet. Apparently I can only reblog one of my posts once.
Reblogged this on pensitivity101 and commented:
In the true spirit of Christmas, this is one of my favourite stories about my Dad. He died in May 1996, the day after my 40th birthday and I miss him. Mum joined him in 2018 and I have visions of them happy, well, young and whole in the afterlife. We shall be lighting a candle for them and FIL on Christmas Day, and sweet Maggie will also be included in our thoughts.
Enjoy a special Christmas gift for a special boy, who grew up to be a special Dad. Mine.
Now that’s Love…
I remember my great grandparents and my great uncles and aunts. They were wonderful people.
Thatβs so beautifully special and heartwarming! What a great memory to honor your dad this time of year.
Thank you. I have some lovely memories of stories he told us about his childhood.
Di this is the beautiful story , thank you for sharing πππ
My Dad was one of a kind.
Yes he must of been and your love of him is testement to that ππ
He was one of the best. I take comfort in the thought that he and Mum are together again now.
Yes that is a lovely thought π
This is such a loving gift.
It always warms my heart when I think about it.
ππ₯°
A beautiful story, Di. We have a few of these hand painted soldiers and I keep them carefully.
I could imagine the scene when he came downstairs.