Sir, – I have one abiding memory of Christmas as a little boy, and it’s a lovely memory of a little red truck I got from Santa.
I don’t know why but I can’t remember any other Christmas present as vividly as that little truck.
Looking back now many decades later I realise just how difficult it was for Santa to bring that truck to me.
My mother, God rest her, had her hands full with three of us. All reared on a widow’s pension and whatever she earned from any work she could get.
I recall looking at the little red truck in the window of the International Stores in Ballina, a window that was an Aladdin’s cave of toys, and my mother asking me what I wanted from Santa. I know now that she did much more than just write to Santa to tell him to bring me that truck. I don’t think I ever thanked her for that.
So maybe now is a good time to say, “Thank you, Nora, for making sure that Santa never forgot us and for all the sacrifices you made for us in your life. You truly were an exceptional woman.” – Yours, etc,
JOHN HIGGINS,
Ballina,
Co Mayo.