Wake Up……Vvvvvvrroooom!!!

Well, hello Orange Room dwellers! It’s Christmas time again and today’s Tale from the Orange Room is a short one that comes from the far corners of my memory banks. Christmas in the 1960s and early 1970s was a wonderful time to be a child, but as great as those Christmas's were, my greatest memory was the time my parents surprised me during a random summer afternoon nap.

Before my parents moved to Mardell Manor in October of 1964, we lived in a modest house in Light Center in Bartonville. I was probably about 4 years old and my daily routine revolved around meals and playtime. I can remember the smell of ironing as I consumed my daily intake of black and white TV programs like Captain Kangaroo and Mighty Mouse. Mom did ironing for others for extra money, and we often watched I Love Lucy and game shows as the mornings wore on. After lunch, I’d play outdoors for a bit then everything would skid to a halt as time would come for my daily afternoon nap.

One afternoon, still in a deep sleep, I was woke by the sound of a high pitched WWWhhhhhirrrrrr! With the sleep still in my eyes, I looked up to the bedroom doorway and recognized my Mom and my Dad smiling from ear to ear!!! Dad Still had his Air National Guard uniform on and he was playfully manipulating this engine thing he was holding. The sound was deafening!!!! I crawled out of my bed and walked closer to the noise. both Mom and Dad bent down and presented me with my gift.... a V-rroom Bicycle Hot Rodder Engine!!!!

Now, I had not even heard of this toy. It wasn't my birthday, it wasn't Christmas...I didn't even have a bicycle yet...only a tricycle that was really too big for me. But, before I knew it, Dad had mounted this bad boy on my tricycle and I was automatically the coolest dude on wheels!!!!

I think my Dad thought it was more awesome than me!!! He had never had toys as a boy so perhaps he bought this for me as a way to fill his void. Who knows. I loved it!!! But mostly I loved the way my parents looked as they woke me that Summer afternoon. Joy in their eyes and love in their hearts!!!! I felt so loved that day. Thanks for surprising me with such a wonderful gift.

Just another Tale down the HOT ROD TRAIL of THE ORANGE ROOM.

Merry Christmas!!!