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The Christmas Gift I Most Remember

I remember vividly a time so very long ago when I could hardly wait for Santa Claus to show, When I dreamed of an electric train under the tree, but, alas, we were poor and such was not to be, I had to be satisfied with what Santa could afford and whatever he brought, it was never abhorred. Every year I asked if Santa might find a way to pack a small toy electric train into his sleigh As I grew older and taller, I sadly gave up those dreams, Better to forgot about it, foolish then it seemed I was always happy with whatever Santa brought, The time came when that toy train was no longer sought. I remember talking about this with my sweet new bride Stories from childhood we were sharing with pride -- About this little, poor boy who only wanted an electric train And each year, his wishes went unfulfilled, in vain. Our first Christmas together we decorated beautifully And on Christmas morn, a Lionel train appeared under the tree, I was completely surprised by my wife’s thoughtfulness The time had come for the old boy’s electric train, I guess. And every Christmas of our thirty-five Christmases together, you see, That electric train ran circles beneath our Christmas tree.
FIRST PLACE WINNER Written December 1, 2021 Especially for “A Christmas Gift Memory” poetry contest Sponsored by BJ Legros Kelley

Copyright © | Year Posted 2021




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Date: 12/28/2021 9:35:00 PM
A great expression of love, memory and the spirit of Christmas. Well written and deserving of #1. Congratulations and thanks for sharing.
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Date: 12/27/2021 9:39:00 AM
Dear Milton, I guess dreams don't go unanswered, they just take time. Congratulations on your 1st place win! Your memories are a gift for all of us, who like you, have dreams, waiting to be fulfilled. I love the configuration (tree) of your poetic words. Blessings, Paulette
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/27/2021 10:31:00 AM
Thanks so much, Paulette. Yes, dreams do come true, if they are ardent, and if we are willing to wait, I think. Your thoughts are so well-taken, my friend. Happy New Year!
Date: 12/27/2021 3:22:00 AM
We never grow up Milt. Love LOVE train sets..I can envisage yours running around the words of your Christmas tree above. What shines through your poem more than anything else is the theme of love..love for the train of course but moreso the love for your late wife and her love for you. All the best for the New Year Milt. Read you again soon. Cheers - Gary
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/27/2021 7:51:00 AM
Aw, thanks so much, Gary, for your really kind and thoughtful comment on my poem. I wish you all the best, too, for the coming New Year.
Date: 12/26/2021 10:12:00 PM
Back again Milton, I had to share this amazing new favorite memory with you, and maybe another thank you for your poem submission? My husband and I just celebrated our 45th Christmas together, and guess what he gave me? A Lionel train!! It is running circles around our tree right now :) He cannot remember if he ordered the train because of your poem, and it touched us both to tears it was so precious! I think you inspired him :) Thank you again!!
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/27/2021 7:52:00 AM
Thank you for sharing this, BJ. I am so happy for you. The sight of a train running around the Christmas tree brings back those wonderful memories for me. Enjoy it.
Date: 12/26/2021 3:13:00 AM
Beautiful poem especially with that electric train. The end lines, "That electric train ran circles beneath our Christmas tree" - are very beautiful. Congratulations!
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/26/2021 9:33:00 AM
Thank you, Christuraj. I'll bet it still is...somewhere. I think it got sold in our estate sale a number of years back when we planned to live in another country...which eventually did not work out!
Date: 12/24/2021 9:19:00 PM
I always wanted a fancy electric train as well. I was in the same boat as you. Great write Milt! Congratulations on your win!!
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/25/2021 8:41:00 AM
Thanks so much, Mark. Well, I finally got mine, which was a sweet, thoughtful gift, but did not bring the excitement it would have when I was a ten year old!
Date: 12/24/2021 8:03:00 PM
Awesome, awesome memory . Congratulations on your beautiful verse and shape. Merry, Merry Christmas my friend
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/25/2021 8:42:00 AM
Eve, thank you so much for your thoughtful comment on my poem. Merry, Merry Christmas to you, my friend!
Date: 12/24/2021 6:29:00 PM
Congratulations on your first place win! This is such an amazing write, very well crafted! Thank you for entering your poem in the contest. Merry Christmas!! May you and yours be blessed with a healthy and wonderful new year! Your wife must smile on you from heaven. Such a precious memory.
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/24/2021 6:48:00 PM
Thank you so much, BJ. At this time, when she was alive, we would be having champagne and opening our Christmas gifts to each other. Why? So we could sleep in on Christmas morning. (chuckling)
Date: 12/1/2021 11:39:00 PM
How marvelous! The poem, the emotion, the sentiments, the memories, the sharing of your heart, and the way you typed this poem into a Christmas Tree. Thirty five terrific years! I love it that Deb bought you your first train under the tree!
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/2/2021 9:17:00 AM
It was certainly the most memorable Christmas of my life, and she was the best gift of all!
Date: 12/1/2021 5:19:00 PM
Love this, Milton. We may get older as the years pass, but the boy in us always stays...best wishes in the contest. Choo Choo Charlie :-)
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/1/2021 5:54:00 PM
Thanks so much for your thoughtful reply, Charles. Yes, somehow I believe there's a young boy inside every man!
Date: 12/1/2021 4:54:00 PM
what a wonderful and very touching story, milton! you've told it quite beautifully, as well. i also think you did an amazing job with your christmas tree - very cool!
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/1/2021 5:55:00 PM
Thanks, Ilene. I gave it my best shot. I'm not much of a graphic artist but occasionally I manage to come up with something.
Date: 12/1/2021 4:09:00 PM
Smashing tale, Milt, and the tree worked a treat. All the best in the contest. Terry
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/1/2021 4:25:00 PM
Thank you, Terry. My tree is a little lopsided, but I'm not much of a graphic artist!
Date: 12/1/2021 3:39:00 PM
Very sweet. Such a nice surprise :)
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/1/2021 4:25:00 PM
Thanks, Heidi.
Date: 12/1/2021 2:40:00 PM
That’s what love is all about. Your story touched me, Milt.
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/1/2021 4:26:00 PM
Thank you so much, Lin. I'm so glad it did.
Date: 12/1/2021 1:55:00 PM
A heartwarming story Milton, what a lovely thoughtful thing to do for you. Hope you're well, I've been away on a mini break, playing catchup at the moment. Tom
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/1/2021 4:26:00 PM
Go for it, Tom. I missed your poems!
Date: 12/1/2021 1:51:00 PM
A lovely christmas tree full of beautiful memories.
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/1/2021 4:26:00 PM
Thank you so much, Shirley. You are so kind. I was afraid it wouldn't even be recognized as a tree! lol
Date: 12/1/2021 12:49:00 PM
I love this, Milton!
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/1/2021 12:59:00 PM
Thank you, dear Kim. It's all true. But, now, from several moves, an estate sale, and much, much smaller Christmases since Deb died, I don't know what became of that Lionel train!

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