Reminiscing: Saga of the Moon Boot

Warning: This is a tragic and somewhat disgusting tale. Not for the faint of heart (or stomach). Read at your own risk. : )

We're preparing for a little boy's arrival around here in Princess Land, and all of this preparation has stirred my own memories of being a big sister. Most are happy, but there is one memory still requiring therapy even after all of these years. : )

(Actually there are two, but I'll save the Last Electric Knight episode for another blog post)

Sometimes life just isn't fair when you are the big sister. Remember Moon Boots? Moon Boots were a must-have in our snowy Eastern Washington town during my childhood, but my poor mom was a busy school teacher who rarely had the time to pre-buy anything.

Waiting for the first snowfall, she'd look out the window and say, "Oh no, you need snow boots." The first available Saturday, we'd head to the store and find whatever pair of Moon Boots were left in our size. Year after year I'd hope for the best, but without fail, year after year, I would end up with BOY BOOTS!!!

It was painful to go to school in my ugly navy with yellow stripes boots while the other girls compared their beautiful pink, purple, or even silver boots. I dreamt of the day I would own my own GIRL BOOTS!

It didn't happen. In our small town, beautiful girl boots sold out faster than ugly boy boots.

One magical year, however, my luck changed. A few days before Christmas, we walked into K-Mart's shoe section and found a display of closeout Moon Boots. And what to my wondering eyes should appear?

A pair of Moon Boots in MY SIZE and ON SALE! These boots weren't navy blue or black or brown. It was as if the heavens opened, a ray of sunshine broke through the ceiling, and I beheld the holy grail of Moon Boots. Before me was the most beautiful, gloriously pink pair of boots I had ever seen. You'd be hard pressed to find more girlie boots than these girlie boots. They were pink! Pink boots! And they were mine!

I wished Christmas Vacation would hurry up and end so I could walk into school with my new boots. I couldn't wait to show Erin and Misty and Christy and any other girl who would appreciate my prize.

Finally! My turn had arrived! I had girl boots! : )

But patience was required because Christmas vacation had just begun.

On Christmas Eve, we drove an hour away to Grandma and Grandpa's house to celebrate. Their house was heaven on earth for two little kids. My brother, Ben, and I couldn't get enough of the presents and candies and cookies and eggnog.

I guess my little brother especially couldn't get enough, because as we drove home late that night he began to complain of a tummy ache.

"Ohhhh my tummy hurts!"

My parents assured him that he was fine and that we were almost home.

"NO! I am going to throw up!" Ben insisted.

They tried again to assure him that he just ate too much and would be fine. Then my mom heard his gagging sounds and said, "I think he really is going to throw up. Pull over Roy!"

No doubt about it, vomiting was going to happen and immediate action was required.

To this day, I can see the scene replayed in my mind's eye. I can see Dad's hand coming around from the front seat. I can see him grabbing my beautiful, brand new, never even worn to school yet, GIRL BOOTS. I can still hear him saying, "Here throw up in this."

"NO!!!!" I screamed but it was too late. To my horror, my angel brother filled not one but BOTH of my beautiful, brand new, never even worn to school yet, GIRL BOOTS!

Merry Christmas to me...

Stopping at the nearest dumpster to deposit the vomit filled boots, my mom turned around from the front seat and said, "Don't worry, Honey, we'll go to the store first thing next week and get you a new pair."

She kept her promise. The first day we could make it to the store, we picked up a new pair of Moon Boots, that were just my size.

Just my size and navy blue with yellow stripes. : )

Character Building 101 I guess. : )

I feel better getting this off my chest. : )

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