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