My Snow People Pin

1959, Chariton, Iowa, sixty miles south of Des Moines
I was prancing around proudly showing off my snow people pin.
Husband and wife, glitzy with glitter, I was so excited.

I wore it to school on my coat. Tried to pin it onto my dress.
The teacher ordered me to take it back to the cloakroom.
Too much of a distraction. I was irritated. Second grade. Sheesh!

We did not have breaks those days, so I could not sneak a peek.
I was in a foul mood by lunch. My mom suggested I leave it at home.
Yes, we walked home and had soup and grilled cheese back in the day.

I refused, because it was mine, and I adored it. 
Something from Aunt Marjorie.
She always bought us the best gifts; and I was kind of a peacock about it.
Kept touching it, to make sure it was on my coat, 
the whole block back to school.

A winter storm came up and threw buckets of snow down onto us after lunch.
School was called off early.  We were warned to put on our slacks.
Girls were allowed to wear slacks to and from, but only under dresses.

We put on our slacks and raced each other home, my twin and I.
We were laughing with pure happiness when we arrived.
And there were hot chocolate chip cookies! I remember being so pleased!

Until I realized my snow people pin was gone.
I wanted to retrace my steps to school, but my mother would not allow it.
You would catch pneumonia she told me. My day ruined. I have never forgotten my gorgeous, wonderful, glitzy, glittery snow people pin. 


Written 12-06-2020
Contest: Story from Your Childhood
Sponsor: L. Milton Hanks
Copyright © | Year Posted 2020

Poem

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Goldsmith Avatar
December 12, 2020 at 8:15 AM
Congratulations on your win. A wonderful story/write. I was there with you. How about some soup, grilled cheese and a chocolate chip cook????? Enjoy your win with blessings..........................
Krutsinger Avatar
December 12, 2020 at 4:39 PM
I am ready. Come on over.
Kauffman Avatar
December 11, 2020 at 9:10 PM
What a bittersweet memory, Caren - out of school early, warm chocolate cookies but the loss of your pin! You told the story so effortlessly! Congratulations on your win!
Krutsinger Avatar
December 12, 2020 at 4:39 PM
Thank you Sam.
Gauthier Avatar
December 11, 2020 at 11:37 AM
Totally charming story ~ I bet you have a whole collection of Christmas pins now to compensate ~
Krutsinger Avatar
December 11, 2020 at 2:31 PM
I wish that I did! I am still fascinated by them. I only had one, but I lost it.
Messina Avatar
December 11, 2020 at 3:29 AM
1959..the year I was born! Great story, Caren. BTW, I love grilled cheese and soup (lol) Congratulations on your placement.. hugs Charlie :)
Krutsinger Avatar
December 11, 2020 at 6:50 AM
Thank you Charles. You were born the year my baby brother Richard was born! What?????
Koplin Avatar
December 6, 2020 at 4:59 AM
Such a well written story Caren. I'm so sorry you lost your pin. I think so many can relate. Thank you for sharing.
Krutsinger Avatar
December 6, 2020 at 6:35 AM
I have never fully gotten over this and it was sixty-one years ago! I looked for it all spring, thinking it was under the snow, but someone else must have found it.
Rodrigues Avatar
December 6, 2020 at 4:50 AM
A wonderful story! We lose our favorite things sometimes but those stay in the memory the longest...how funny! Loved your charming story.
Krutsinger Avatar
December 6, 2020 at 6:36 AM
Thank you Kim. It was not charming at the time, believe me.
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